President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday approved the continuation of efforts by the National Boundary Commission to significantly expand the nation’s maritime boundaries.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President gave the approval after he was briefed by the commission’s Director-General, Dr. Muhammad Ahmad, on the status of preparations for a submission by Nigeria to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
Shehu also said the President approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee to oversee the conclusion of work on the submission which could lead to the expansion of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles, if approved by the CLCS.
He said Buhari has also directed the Ministry of Finance to provide the funds required to conduct the geographical surveys which are essential for the submission.
Meanwhile, President, Thursday, in Abuja, observed that recent developments had made it more important for Nigeria and other African nations to close ranks and work together against terrorism.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said Buhari spoke at an audience with a Special Envoy of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea.
Buhari said that since terrorism no longer respects national borders, the international community must urgently evolve and implement more effective collaborative measures to enhance global security.
He said: “Good neighbourliness is essential for the security and economic development of African countries.
“Terrorism no longer respects borders. Therefore, we must keep on improving joint measures and actions against terrorism and other trans-border crimes.
“It was with this necessity in mind that I visited all of Nigeria’s neighbouring countries immediately after my assumption of office and we will continue to do our best to strengthen regional and international cooperation against terrorism.”
The Special Envoy, Mr Agapito Mba Mokuy, told Buhari that the security of Nigeria was very important to the entire West African region.
Mokuy, who is also Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said that President Mbasogo was impressed by the progress Nigeria was making, under Buhari’s leadership, towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency.
