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The Federal Government on Tuesday donated 20 Hilux vans to Burkina Faso to assist the country conduct its general elections scheduled for October.
Mr Bulus Lolo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered the vehicles on behalf of Nigeria.
Mr Barthelemy Kere, President, Commission Electorale Nationale Independent of Burkina Faso received the vehicles on behalf of his country.
In his remark, Lolo said President Muhammadu Buhari sent a special envoy to deliver the vehicles in demonstration of Nigeria’s solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso.
He added that Buhari approved the delivery of the vehicles in fulfillment of the pledge made by Nigeria in March to assist Burkina Faso with logistics to conduct the elections.
“The gesture is to demonstrate to the people of Burkina Faso that Nigeria is solidly behind them,” he said.
The permanent secretary said the gesture was also to demonstrate Nigeria’s support and to let the Burkinabes know that democracy remained the key to stability in any country.
“No matter how difficult it is, democracy brings the expression and the will of the people to bear in governance.
“If it worked in Nigeria, it can work in Burkina Faso,” Lolo said and appealed to stakeholders in the elections to eschew violence and work for its successful conduct.
“It is important to include all the stakeholders, respect the rule of law, allow the electorate to cast their votes and let the votes count.
“All these will lead to the success of the elections,” he added.
Receiving the vehicles, Kere commended Nigeria for the gesture, stressing that the vehicles came at the right time.
Kere, who said that Nigeria was the first and the only African country to assist his country in the conduct of the polls, pledged judicious use of the vehicles.
“The availability of 20 brand new vehicles for the conduct of the October elections is very crucial and important to us.
“We appreciate the solidarity and support by Nigeria; Nigeria is the only African country that has so far provided assistance in this regard.
“We really need the vehicles to contribute to the success of our elections,” he said.
NAN reports that Lolo was accompanied by Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu, his counterpart in the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Mr David Bala.
