Iyom Bianca Ojukwu
New ambassadors to Nigeria were yesterday received at the State House by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The envoys from the European Union, Republic of Finland and Peoples Republic of Algeria respectively, Mr Gautier Mignot , Ms Sanna Selin and Mr Hocine Mezoued , were at the state house to present letters recalling their predecessors and their letters of credence to the president.
In a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union, President Tinubu noted that the EU remains one of the highest trading partners of Nigeria, urging the envoy to work towards elevating the volume of transactions, and strengthening the ties.
On my own part, as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, I highlighted the need, going by the dynamics on the global stage, for Nigeria to assess its relations with the EU for the purpose of exploring new areas of collaboration.
The President also said the Nigerian economy could support investments with its vibrant, youthful population.
Mignot told President Tinubu that Nigeria holds “many untapped potentials,” adding that more could be realised through development cooperation and technology leveraging.
“We have a solid partnership based on our shared values,” he said.
President Tinubu urged collaboration between Nigeria and Algeria to implement the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project.
“We need to lift one another in Africa, and we will be stronger together. We can be abused or ignored, but we have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves. We must lift Africa together,’ the President said.
The Algerian Ambassador said the trans-Sahara African Gas Pipeline project and other proposed regional development projects will significantly impact the continent and that Algeria would continue to support Nigeria in negotiating for improved livelihood on the continent with multilateral institutions.
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