Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, said the arrest and detention of self-acclaimed Prime Minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, is a critical step in improving bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland.
She made the remark after presenting her Letters of Credence to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
Ambassador Selin acknowledged that Ekpa’s actions had posed significant challenges to the relationship between the two nations.
“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. However, cooperation between our two countries is going very well now,” the ambassador noted. “The National Security Adviser has been providing all the evidence.”
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“I salute you for all the ongoing reforms in the country,” she added. “They are not easy. Even though they are painful, they are the only way Nigeria can progress. It is essential for the country.”
The ambassador also pointed out Finland’s involvement in peace mediation and highlighted opportunities for future collaboration with Nigeria, particularly in energy. “We can work together to make this a realisable dream,” she stated.
Ambassador Selin expressed her appreciation for President Tinubu’s reform efforts, acknowledging the difficult but necessary steps Nigeria is taking toward long-term prosperity. She stressed Finland’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria now that the Ekpa situation had been resolved.
President Bola Tinubu lauded the Finnish government for its decisive intervention in the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa.
“I must thank you for your role in safeguarding human rights in our country, particularly with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible, and we do not want to promote terrorism,” the president said.
Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria would not tolerate any actions or statements that could foster division among its people, reinforcing the country’s commitment to unity and peace. “We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development,” he said, reaffirming that national stability and unity were paramount.
During the meeting, President Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued. He called for deeper cooperation in sectors like ICT, agriculture, and regional development, including the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project, stressing the importance of African unity and mutual support for progress.
