Tinubu Hails As France Sets To Return Fresh $150m Abacha Loot To Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his appreciation to France for the return of $150 million stolen from Nigeria by former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
He has also acknowledged the signing of a €100 million agreement between Nigeria and France to support the i-DICE programme, a Federal Government initiative to promote investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Creative Arts Industries.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), President Tinubu commended the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, noting that this progress followed his visit to Paris after his inauguration.
President Tinubu said Nigeria will continue to galvanize international partners in the determined pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the situation in Niger Republic.
The French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs conveyed the goodwill of President Emmanuel Macron and expressed the readiness of France to expand mutually beneficial collaboration with Nigeria across multiple sectors.
She extended a formal invitation to President Tinubu to attend the forthcoming Paris Peace Forum.
Speaking on the Abacha loot, the French Presidential Envoy said the repatriation followed the completion of legal processes.
It was a long process, but we are glad that it was concluded. Sometimes, justice may be slow, but this is a very good achievement.
Ms. Colonna also commended President Tinubu’s leadership in ECOWAS, saying: We support your efforts at ECOWAS. We are behind you because we believe that constitutional order is a treasure for all countries, and democracy must be a reality.
