Abuja — Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening peace, security, and stability in the Gulf of Guinea, with a focus on supporting ongoing reforms within the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC).
Shettima gave the assurance on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Jose Mba Abeso, and his delegation.
“On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I reaffirm Nigeria’s strong commitment to the objectives of the GGC. Nobody can undermine the Commission’s role in fostering cooperation, peace, and sustainable development in the Gulf of Guinea,” the Vice President said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s interests as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy are deeply tied to the Gulf of Guinea. “Be assured that some of the issues you have raised will receive the President’s full attention. We want the Gulf of Guinea to function effectively,” he added.
Commending the Commission’s management, Shettima assured the delegation of Nigeria’s “unalloyed commitment to its ideals and objectives,” while aligning the country’s stance with the African Union’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy.
Earlier, Mr. Abeso solicited Nigeria’s support for the Commission’s reform agenda, which includes expanding membership to all 19 coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea, enhancing regional peace and security, and engaging insurance companies to review the high premiums currently imposed on shipping in the region.
He also applauded Nigeria’s leadership in establishing the Combined Maritime Taskforce and urged President Tinubu to mobilise regional leaders to operationalise it.
Present at the meeting were the Force Commander of the Combined Maritime Taskforce, Commodore M.S. Shettima; Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde of the Defence Headquarters; Ambassador Obinna Agbugba of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Adebowale Badejo of the GGC, among others.
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