The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday, joined the Heads of State and Government of Senegal, Mauritania and Burkina Faso to celebrate the 47th independence of Guinea Bissau at the 24 de Setembro National Stadium, Bissau, with a call on all West African countries to ensure security and peace in the subregion.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as making his position known at the event in a statement titled: ‘President Buhari congratulates Guinea Bissau on 47th independence, pledges Nigeria’s increased support for peace, stability’.

He quoted the President as stressing the need for member countries to remain committed to realising the vision of the founding fathers of the Economic Community of West African States.

“It is my desire that Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau as well as other member countries of the Economic Community of West African States will continue to provide the impetus in realising the objectives and ideals of its founding fathers and to ensure security, peace and development of our region,’’ the President said.

Buhari pledged that Nigeria would continue to assist Guinea-Bissau in every way possible.

He described a peaceful and prosperous Guinea-Bissau as a win for West Africa and Africa.

He said he was proud of the support Nigeria provided to past electoral processes in the country’s efforts at entrenching democracy and promised to increase such support.

Buhari also recalled Nigeria’s contribution of troops under the auspices of the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau.

He noted that the troops played an important role in maintaining peace and security.

While congratulating President Umaro Embalo, the government and people of Guinea-Bissau on the 47th anniversary, Buhari said it was his hope and prayer that the country and its people would continue to grow in strength and prosperity.

He added, “I feel delighted because this is my first official visit to Guinea-Bissau since my assumption of office in 2015, and because I am here to join you brotherly people of Guinea-Bissau as you celebrate this great day with renewed hope and aspiration.

‘‘I am truly grateful for the warm reception accorded me and my delegation since our arrival in this city.

“As you mark your freedom as a nation ‘free forever’, let me seize this opportunity to salute all Bissau Guineans, both at home as well as in the Diaspora, for the strides you have made as a country.”

Buhari recounted that on September 10, 1974, Guinea-Bissau declared its independence from Portugal, after a protracted struggle for freedom, which brought Portuguese colonisation to an end.

On the return to democracy in the West African country, the President  noted that in the aftermath of the peaceful presidential election in 2019, which ushered in the present administration of President Embalo, Guinea-Bissau had a great opportunity to unleash her great economic potential.

Later in the capital city of Bissau, Buhari inaugurated a road named in his honour.