I'm very happy to be in Nigeria, it's an appealing country - President Macron
- President Emmanuel Macron of France, who is currently in Nigeria, says he likes the country a lot
- He says Nigeria is an appealing country, adding that he has a lot of memory about the country that haven't left him
- Macron met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja before proceeding to the Afrika Shrine in Lagos on Tuesday, July 3
After meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, July 3, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Afrika Shrine, home of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Vanguard reports that Macron's visit to the shrine was part of his latest attempt to forge closer ties with English-speaking Africa.
Legit.ng notes that while addressing the cheering and whistling crowd in English, President Macron said: “I’m very happy to be here with you tonight."
The French president, who spent six months as an intern at the French embassy in Abuja in 2002, told reporters traveling with him: “I like Nigeria a lot. It’s an appealing country. I’ve got a lot of memories… that haven’t left me.”
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Since he assumed leadership, Macron has been working on boosting ties with French former colonies but also improving trade with anglophone countries.
According to Macron “regional security and the fight against Boko Haram” would be high on the agenda in talks with Buhari, calling him a “key player”.
While at the shrine, Macron praised Nollywood and the country’s music. He desribed the concert hall as “iconic”. He said that “we have to build a new common narrative” in Africa.
Macron said: “You have to recognise the bad and negative pages of this history, but you have to move forward."
When asked about life as an intern in Nigeria, Macron said: “Obviously I will not share all those memories because what happens in the shrine remains in the shrine.”
Macron is set to inaugurate the new Alliance Francaise, a cultural centre, and is scheduled to meet young Nigerian entrepreneurs on Wednesday, July 4.
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Legit.ng previously reported that French president, Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, July 3, arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Macron arrived Nigeria's capital city in a Presidential aircraft Airbus 330 at 3:10 pm on Tuesday, July 3.
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Source: Legit.ng
