By Philip Hammond
I was
delighted to visit Nigeria
again, the second time in under a year, to meet with President Buhari and
attend the second Regional Security Summit. Combating violent extremism is a
global challenge, which has affected many of our countries in Europe, just as
you are tackling it here in Nigeria .
That is why I welcomed President Buhari’s call to hold this important summit.
The UK and Nigeria have a strong and
long-standing relationship. President Buhari’s recent visit to the UK for London ’s
Anti-Corruption Summit underlines the importance of our partnership. The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Nigeria as it
tackles corruption, something President Buhari himself has said has become a
‘way of life’.
During
my visit, I was struck by how much progress had been made on President Buhari’s
manifesto since I was last here for the President’s inauguration. In
particular, significant improvements in security stood out.
Over
the last 12 months, action by Nigeria
and its neighbours, with the support of friends in the international community,
has greatly diminished Boko Haram. We have reduced their strength and the
territory they control. I congratulate President Buhari and other leaders in
the region on this progress.