The Federal Government passed up the opportunity to appeal the judgement of the International Court of Justice ceding oil-rich Bakasi Peninsula to Cameroon in order to protect Nigerians living in the west central African country, President Goodluck Jonathan has said.
Speaking during an interactive session with Nigerians living in Yaounde, the Cameroon capital, Jonathan explained that tension between the two countries would certainly affected relations between Cameroonians and Nigerians living there, to the detriment of Nigerians.
“You all know what happened in Bakassi; there is no need to go back on why we couldn’t appeal.,” said Jonathan, who was in Cameroon for the summit of Heads of States and Governments of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC).
“We had no new evidence within the period of time that was given that will make a difference in the judgement. Our people should live a good and decent life in Cameroon. The forces of animosity are gradually dying down and the relationship is improving.”
Speaking on issues relating to the economy, he stated his administration’s efforts at discouraging importations of goods that can be locally produced, and also gave heartening figures of the country’s growing exportation fo agriculture and other produce.
“We cannot be a giant of Africa when we keep importing rice, we must put a stop to that,” he said. “The way we are going, we will soon be exporting rice in few years. We are now exporting cement about 20 million tonnes.”
He also expressed unhappiness about the countries status as one of the four countries with the highest prevalence of polio.
“I’m uncomfortable with the figure. Why should Nigeria be among the four countries in the world with polio? We are committed to eradicating polio and we will eradicate it.”
He lamented the failure of Nigerians in the Diaspora to have their wish of participating in the country’s electioneering process, saying, “On diaspora votes, I advocated for it but before we can have it, the constitution will have to be amended.
“I cannot use executive fiat to do it; we have o follow the constitution. We have a very vibrant Diaspora that should be heard. You should send your petition to National Assembly so that they will know is not only Mr. President that is interested in it.”
Nigeria High Commissioner to Cameroon, Hadiza Mustapha described the Nigerian community in Cameroon as the best community any ambassador could ask for, saying they are hardworking, patrotic, law-abiding and have good working relations with the Mission.
Also speaking, President of the Nigerian Union, Centre Region, Ebere Valentine, promised the president that Nigerians in Cameroon would remain good ambassadors and always project the country’s image positively.
