Just In: President Tinubu, Equatorial Guinea president sign gas pipeline agreement

President Bola Tinubu and President Teodoro Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea have signed an agreement on a gas pipeline for Gulf of Guinea.

 In a statement on Thursday by Ajuri Ngelale, the president’s spokesman, the agreement on the Gulf of Guinea gas pipeline project was signed on Wednesday. Ngelale said the agreement further affirms the two nations’ partnership for mutual development. According to Ngelale, the agreement covered legislative and regulatory measures for the gas pipeline, establishment and operation, as well as transit of natural gas, ownership of the gas pipeline, and general principles. In his remarks, Tinubu said the signing of the agreement will open up new opportunities for gas exploration and employment. The president said the two leaders had discussed issues related to the creation of employment, food security, multilateral relations and conflict resolution mechanisms on the continent during a private meeting that preceded the signing of the agreement. “Concerning Africa, conflicts and conflict resolution were discussed. We discussed various areas of conflicts and what we can do to promote peace,” Tinubu said. We talked about promotion of peace and stability in our countries, and growth and prosperity on our continent. “In the same way that Europe and America have kept themselves and found a solution for their conflicts, we have to look at both inadequate capital, industrialisation efforts, research and development programmes, and enlighten our people, navigate our way through problems. Instead of the crisis and conflicts that we see in the Republic of Congo and others, we have to look inwards to solve problems ourselves.” President Tinubu said the discussion with the president of Equatorial Guinea also covered challenges of security, African continental free trade area (ACFTA) and food security. “We are all going for it. Within Africa and the African Union, we have resolved that we will work together to make sure that the solution to many of our problems in Africa comes from within,” he added. Mbasogo said bilateral relations with Nigeria over many years have been rewarding but there is a need to deepen cooperation across salient areas. The president of Equatorial Guinea also said Africa’s vision of having a permanent seat in the security council of the United Nations is vital for the development of the continent, affirming that Equatorial Guinea will collaborate with Nigeria to achieve this objective. He said the signing of the agreement was a strategic move for Africa’s development. Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs and Simeon Oyono Esono, Equatorial Guinea’s minister of foreign affairs, also signed the agreement. Lateef Fagbemi, minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation; Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, minister of defence; Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior; Ekperikpe Ekpo, minister of state, petroleum (gas), and Jamila Ibrahim- Biu, minister of youth development, were present at the signing of the agreement. On Tuesday, the presidency announced that Tinubu will be travelling to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, for a three-day official visit at the behest of Mbasogo. Tinubu was received by Manuela Botey, the country’s prime minister when he arrived Malabo on Wednesday. The presidency said Tinubu will hold a private meeting with Mbasogo which will be followed by signing of bilateral agreements focusing on oil and gas, security and others.