Former UK Prime minister Boris Johnson arrives Lagos; Asks for closer Nigeria-UK ties ({VIDEO}

Former United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson says there should be a mutually-benefitting relationship between Nigeria and Britain so as to increase the potentials of both countries.

Johnson said this in Lagos on Monday, March 27 at the 16th Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe lecture series which had the theme, ‘Rehumanising Huaman Experience’.

“Now is the time. When the world is so uncertain, when some nations are disentangling, now is the time for the UK and Nigeria, two great democracies to work together,” Johnson, said in his keynote address.

“Nigeria can be a renewable superpower and still be a producer of oil and gas. We could be much more together.”

He said both countries should continue collaborations in the areas of free trade, free speech, free elections.

“You need a society that is opened and that is tolerant to develop human potentials,” he said, adding that” urban successes are built on freedom under the law”.

Speaking about the Russia-Ukraine war, Johnson remains in steadfast support of Ukraine and predicted a victory.

“The Ukrainians are going to win,” he said. “Putin got it wrong because he’s undemocratic. He has only Yes-men.”

The high profile event was attended by Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Chief Emeka Anyaoku; President-Elect Bola Tinubu, represented by Former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro; presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.