Nigerians have a knack of excelling in whatever we set out to do or whatever thing we decide is worth doing. Sports? We rule. Entertainment? We rule there too. Commerce? We are the bosses. And now piracy? Wait, what?! We have a way of taking this jack-of-all-trade attitude of ours a little bit too far and trying to outdo others, don’t we?
The European Union in a recent report said that about 80 per cent of the sea piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is linked to the activities of Nigerians and their vessels. Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Amb. Michel Arrion, said this during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 denied reports that European companies aided oil theft by buying stolen oil.
“It (oil theft) happens either because it is in the Nigerian waters, or because the oil stolen is from Nigeria or that the pirates are Nigerians,” he said.
Arrion said that despite the misconceptions about EPA, which is being considered within the collaborative framework with Nigeria, the yet-to-be-formalised Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Nigeria and other African countries agreement would facilitate the industrialisation of Nigeria and create needed jobs because the EU, according to him, will bring in technology and expertise. He therefore urged the Nigerian government to sign the EPA.
The EU chief praised the peaceful outcome of the general elections in Nigeria and tasked the in -coming administration of Muhammadu Buhari to consolidate on the success of the elections. “Democracy only makes meaning to the common man to the extent that it delivers good governance, creates opportunities and improves the quality of living,” he said.
He added that Buhari had a lot to do not only in delivering his campaign promises, but “in ensuring that Nigeria’s massive population is galvanised into a formidable productive force that will generate wealth commensurate with the country’s immense economic potential.”
On Boko Haram, the biggest security threat in Nigeria since gun totting creek dwellers, the envoy urged the incoming administration to go in guns blazing in order to end the crisis as Buhari promised during his campaign. “Bringing the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East to an end and rehabilitating those who have been affected by the insurgency, will be a key step in this direction.” he concluded.
