PRESS RELEASE:GAMBIA’S ADAMA BARROW THANKS NIGERIA, CONFERRED WITH HONOURARY CITIZENSHIP

Nigeria’s crucial role in resolving the impasse resulting from the 2016 last presidential election in the Gambia was on spotlight Tuesday, January 16, when the new Gambian president visited Nigeria’s President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, the first since he ascended to office.

Speaking to newsmen upon the President’s arrival at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Stadium, the Gambian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Nigeria, Amadou Sheikh Omar Taal, said the visit was also geared to cement the already existing good relations between the Government and people of The Gambia and Nigeria.

Upon arrival, President Adama Barrow was conferred with the Honourary Citizenship of Abuja by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.

The FCT Minister who made the conferment on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, explained that the honour is a mark of respect for the strong friendship and cordial relationship between the people of Nigeria and Gambia.

Bello, while handing over the key to the city of Abuja with all the rights and privileges, assured the visiting Gambian President of a memorable stay in the capital city.

Receiving the Key to the City of Abuja from the FCT Minister, the President Barrow thanked the FCT Minister for Mr. President’s kind gesture. On hand to chaperon the Gambian President was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama.

It could be recalled that Nigeria led the ECOWAS military intervention in the Gambia to resolve the impasse that ensued following the refusal of the country’s long-standing president Yahya Jammeh to step down after his loss in the 2016 presidential elections. The intervention forced the former president to step down and thereby restored law and constitutional governance in that country.

Cosmas Uzodinma 

Chief Press Secretary

to FCT Minister