Buhari calls for global cooperation to avert food crisis

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on world leaders to come together and strategise on ways to avert the looming food crisis around the world.

Buhari said this on Wednesday in Madrid, Spain at the Royal Palace during an interaction with his Royal Majesty, King Felipe VI, in continuation of his visit to the country.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the two leaders canvassed a global action to stem the food problem especially in wheat production occasioned by the ongoing war in Ukraine, urging world leaders to take concrete actions to avert the crisis.

The King said Nigeria was an important country and looked forward to an opportunity to visit the country especially against the background of stronger cooperation being forged by the two countries.

President Buhari, however, thanked the Spanish monarch for the invitation and hospitality extended to him since his arrival and updated him on happenings in Nigeria especially as the country prepares for the 2023 general election.

In a separate meeting with the President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, President Buhari said his country looked forward to increasing bilateral relations between both nations.

Buhari further commended his Spanish counterpart for his leadership qualities and contributions in the war against terror in Sub-Saharan Africa especially in Mali, saying he look forward to cooperating with him in the area.

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According to the statement, the two leaders discussed areas of cooperation on which Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed.

President Sanchez stressed that, as a major partner of Spain in Africa, Nigeria was a country that his people wanted to have a strong partnership with.

He, therefore, commended President Buhari for his leadership roles in Africa especially in the area of strengthening of democratic ideals.

“Currently, Spain is the largest importer of Nigerian gas and the third largest importer of Nigerian crude, and with the visit, the two leaders hoped for bigger trade relations.

“At the end of the visit, nine Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding were signed, namely: Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal Matters; Transfer of Sentenced Persons; Extradition; Economic and Commercial Cooperation; Tourism.

“Others were on Sports; Health; the Fight Against COVID-19; and Science and Innovation,” Adesina stated.

The Star