Emmanuel Macron with his wife, Brigitte

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his election as the next President of France.

In a congratulatory letter to the president-elect, Osinbajo said he received the news of the election of Macron with satisfaction.

He noted that under successive governments, the relations between Nigeria and France had blossomed.

The acting president expressed optimism that the incoming French Government would further strengthen the bond of friendship between both countries.

Under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari there has been very close collaboration between Nigeria and France in the war against terror, the acting president said.

He commended the role that France had played in the successes so far recorded in the implementation of the regional initiative against terrorism in Africa.

Osinbajo said Macron’s election was a source of inspiration, especially for the French people.

According to him, Macron’s election portends a greater future in which the French Republic will continue to play its active role in boosting relations between Europe and the rest of the world.

Osinbajo said the Buhari administration “is looking forward to working closely with President-elect Macron to promote international cooperation, advance peace and security.’’

He also expressed the hope that such relationship would “consolidate mutual trade relations and strengthen economic partnership for the benefit of citizens of both countries’’

The French on Sunday elected 39-year-old Macron as their president to take over from Mr Francois Hollande.

Macron defeated Ms Marine Le Pen in the second round of the election.

(NAN)