The governor of Sokoto state, Barrister Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has appealed to Western countries to review their travel advisories that caution their citizens from travelling to some Northern states, including Sokoto, over security challenges.
The governor, who made the appeal in Sokoto on Friday when he received the France ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jérôme Pasquier, at the Government House, urged the French government and other Western countries to review their travel advisories to their citizens asking them not visit Sokoto.
He gave the assurance that the state “is secure despite pockets of insurgency in some places.”
While appreciating the French government’s efforts in providing security assistance to the country and its armed forces, he noted that “the role of France in this direction is very clear.”
According to him, “Sokoto being a neighbour of Niger Republic, which harbours some insurgents would have been worse-hit if there had been no such gesture.”
The governor also called on France to explore business opportunities abound in the state, adding that, “Although no French business exists in Sokoto, but we seek collaboration with your country in agriculture, health care, education and other areas. The state has mineral deposits and other huge potentials for business. Both parties need closer and deeper ties.”
In his response, Pasquier expressed gratitude to the governor and the Sultan of Sokoto for the reception accorded him and his entourage, saying, “I am happy to be here because of the political and geostrategic place of the state in Nigeria.”
