Africa remains central to Nigeria’s foreign policy – Jonathan (Does Africa Care?)

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Goodluck Jonathan (2010-present), Presidency Friday, June 8th, 2012

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated the centrality of Africa, its peace, political stability and socio-economic development to Nigeria’s foreign policy.

He said this on Thursday while receiving the new Mauritanian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr B.A. Abderrahmane, in State House, Abuja.

He said in furtherance of his government’s commitment to work with other African countries to promote democracy, good governance and progress on the continent, it was working towards establishing embassies or representational offices in all African countries, including Mauritania.

According to him, “Africa remains the centrepiece of our foreign policy and I have always believed that if real progress and development is to come to Africa, we must initiate it ourselves. We cannot keep waiting for others to do it for us.

“Establishing functional relationships among ourselves is a necessary first step in this regard and we are committed to ultimately having full diplomatic representation with all African nations.”

President Jonathan expressed the hope that the existing relationship between Nigeria and Mauritania would be further strengthened during Mr Abderrahmane’s tenure.

Similarly, the president received the letters of credence of two new ambassadors. They are Ambassador Somchai Powcharon of Thailand and Ambassador Nur Mohamme of Bangladesh.

He told both envoys that his administration would welcome the expansion of areas of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and their respective countries, especially in the areas of agriculture and the development of small and medium scale industries.

-Vanguardwp_posts