By Hosea Parah, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has assured foreign ambassadors in Nigeria of his administration’s readiness to maintain open lines of communication and cooperation, with a focus on advancing mutually beneficial economic opportunities across sectors. The President made this commitment while receiving the Letters of Credence of four ambassadors.
In separate meetings with the Ambassador of Angola to Nigeria, Mr. Jose Bamoquine Zau; the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Nigeria, Mr. Pieter Leenknegt; the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Nigeria, Mr. Sevin Baera; and the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Nigeria, Mr. Albert Castelar, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of strong diplomatic relations and expressed his willingness to engage with the foreign missions.
President Tinubu assured the ambassadors that the Foreign Ministry and the Office of his Chief of Staff would always be available to interact with the foreign missions and address any matter of concern. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining an open-door policy and urged the ambassadors to bring up any issues with the appropriate channels.
During his meeting with the Angolan Ambassador, President Tinubu congratulated President Joao Lourenco of Angola on his re-election and referred to him as a “very good friend.” The President also acknowledged the active participation of Belgian companies in Nigeria’s maritime industry during his discussion with the Belgian Ambassador. He expressed the need to strengthen political and economic cooperation, particularly in the maritime and energy sectors. President Tinubu also exchanged views on the potential dredging of Calabar port to enhance its viability for revenue generation.
In his discussions with the Norwegian Ambassador, President Tinubu outlined his administration’s vision for an energy transition in Nigeria, prioritizing the shift from petroleum to gas to hydrogen. He called on Norway and other EU-member countries to support his administration’s economic reform programs, particularly in the areas of food security, preservation, and agro-allied investments.
The President highlighted the importance of partnerships and support from Norway, stating, “If Nigeria succeeds, Africa succeeds.” Ambassador Baera of Norway congratulated President Tinubu on the recent affirmation of his election by the Supreme Court and expressed the interest of Norwegian firms in Nigeria’s agriculture and energy sectors.
The Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela called for the establishment of direct flights between Nigeria and Venezuela, expressing his country’s desire to deepen economic partnerships in trade and investment, particularly in the oil sector.
The foreign ambassadors expressed gratitude for the warm reception and affirmed their commitment to building sustainable partnerships between their respective nations and Nigeria. They acknowledged the valuable role Nigeria has played in their countries’ histories and expressed their enthusiasm for fostering closer ties in various sectors.
President Tinubu’s engagement with the foreign ambassadors signals his administration’s focus on strengthening diplomatic relations and exploring opportunities for economic growth and cooperation. As Nigeria continues to position itself as a key player on the global stage, these discussions pave the way for increased collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships.