Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday assured South Sudan that Nigeria is prepared to help stabilize that country both politically and economically.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said Buhari gave the assurance when he received in audience Mr Ezekiel Gatkuoth, Special Envoy of the South Sudan at the presidential villa, Abuja.
President Buhari noted that the two countries have a lot in common in the area of developmental aspirations, adding: “It has not been smooth sailing for us all the way, too. But since South Sudan wants to share from our experience, we will support where we can, and pray hard for your stability.”
READ ALSO Three in police net for kidnapping
He advised the leaders of South Sudan to keep making sacrifices “till the environment is completely stabilized,” stressing that stability should always be number one priority.
“You can’t manage a country efficiently till you have first stabilized it. Then, the economy must follow. You must provide jobs for the people, particularly the youths. Also, you need to check corruption. Guide your national resources jealously. We will do our best to support,” Buhari said.
Gatkuoth, who is also his country’s Petroleum Minister, said President Buhari was widely admired across the continent for his role in fighting corruption, noting that it was the reason the African Union made him a champion of the anti-corruption crusade in Africa.
He said South Sudan was putting its house in order, but needed assistance from Nigeria in the areas of security transformation, constitutional reforms, and infrastructural development.