Posted by By LUKY NWANKWERE, Abuja on
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Grozney Monday, in Abuja sued for peace among Ijaw youths, explaining that the arrest in London of Bayelsa governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was inspired by the Nigerian government.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Grozney Monday, in Abuja sued for peace among Ijaw youths, explaining that the arrest in London of Bayelsa governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was inspired by the Nigerian government.
Grozney, who met with President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Presidential Villa behind closed doors over the threat to British citizens in the Niger Delta following the arrest of the governor by Metropolitan Police in London, said there was no reason for the Ijaws to move against the British citizens in Nigeria.
In a chat with State House correspondents shortly after the meeting, he gave assurance that Governor Alamieyeseigha was hale and hearty and was not under any form of persecution.
"We see no reason why the Ijaws should need to act against the British people. But the police will let matters take their course in London. But they can be assured that the governor is under no special persecution or anything like that.
"The police investigation that led to his questioning was entirely routine and normal. It was partly inspired by Nigeria's request in the last two years about money and money laundering. But I can't say more than that as regards individual cases," he stated.
The British envoy expressed gratitude to the Nigerian security authorities for the assurances given about the protection of the British citizens in the Niger Delta, saying they had confidence in the security agencies.
"Well, I think we are grateful for the reassurances given over the weekend by security authorities here. We have full confidence in the police and others in protecting British citizens wherever they are in Nigeria.
"But it is good to have the statement made over the weekend. But I am grateful for the assurance of the police authorities in Nigeria about the security of British citizens in the Niger delta," he further stated.
Grozney was accompanied on the visit by British defence attaches.
Meanwhile, President Obasanjo Monday commended the British government for its "tremendous assistance in debt relief and co-operation generally" to Nigeria and Africa, saying the country looked forward to more co-operation in the future.
He gave the commendation when he received the British Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Ingram Adam, in his office in Abuja.
He said the African Union and the European Union had agreed to strengthen the partnership forum through a meeting with all multinationals and companies operation in Africa to get them involved in the partnership already existing between the two continents.
The President told his guest he held discussions with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair during the last UN General Assembly about the planned meeting scheduled to be held in Brussels as a follow up to the agreements and decisions taken during the G-8 summit in Gleneagles last July.
The British minister who said he was in Nigeria to explore ways of further cooperation with Nigeria on defence issues, stressed it was "important for the capabilities of the ordinary soldier to be improved."
He said the British government was offering an assistance of 200,000 pounds for the improvement of facilities at the Command and Staff College, Jaji because of the important role the college plays in the capacity development of soldiers.