Buhari Receives Eight New Ambassadors, H’Commissioners To Nigeria
– Says Govt Focused On Improving Livelihood Of Citizenry
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the focus of his administration up to 2023 will be to improve on the livelihoods of Nigerians.
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He targets nine areas for development to achieve this, including agriculture, energy, transportation, education, healthcare and expansion of infrastructure.
Buhari gave details, “In our efforts to achieve a realistic domestic and foreign policy, as well as national development, we have identified the following nine priority areas to guide our policy directions over the next few years.
“Build a thriving and sustainable economy; enhance social inclusion and reduce poverty; enlarge agricultural output for food security and export; attain energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products and expand transport and other infrastructural development.
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“Expand business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation; expand access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians; Build a system to fight corruption, improve governance and create social cohesion; and improve security for all.’’
He spoke at the State House Abuja, on Tuesday when he received Letters of Credence from Ambassadors/High Commissioners of eight countries.
The President stated that Nigeria was working hard to attract and sustain profitable investments for itself by providing “unequalled incentives in all sectors, especially large market and flexible tax system which investors from various countries can take advantage of.”
The new envoys are, Hocine Latil of Algeria; Luong Quoc Thinh of Vietnam; Dr Benson Alfred Bana of Tanzania; Traore Kalilou of Cote d’Ivoire; Abakar Saleh Chahaimi of Chad; Jamal Mohammed Barrow of Somalia; Brahim Salem El Mami Buseif of Sahrawi Arab Republic; and Mohammed Alibak of Iran.
Buhari called for greater cooperation between Nigeria and the countries, asking the envoys to seize the advantage of their new posting to make this happen.
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“I have no doubt that you might have prior and in-depth knowledge of Nigeria’s huge potential which you will hopefully see for yourselves.
“I therefore, urge you to go around the country, see things for yourselves and report to your home governments. This is important as you all are representatives of both your sending and host states”, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, quoted the President as telling the envoys.
He also told them that Nigeria did not discriminate when it came to the issue of building relations with other nations.
Buhari added, “Nigeria strongly supports joint action to ensure a democratic and fair world order based on strict respect for the norms of international law, the United Nations Charter, recognition of the unquestionable value of cultural diversity, national sovereignty, and the right of all countries to decide their future freely, without external pressure.
“Nigeria does not divide its partners into big and small; we value and respect every country, and with every country we are ready to pursue dialogue, as well as build cooperation on the basis of equality and constructive mutual respect.
“These include our cooperation in strengthening regional, continental and global peace and security, resolving complex issues, settling conflicts, as well as addressing dangerous threats to mankind, among which include terrorism, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, human trafficking, cybercrimes, poverty, communicable diseases and epidemics.’’
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The Algerian Ambassador to Nigeria, Latil, spoke on behalf of his colleagues.
He said that their primary mission was to improve on relations between Nigeria and their countries.
“On behalf of my colleagues, we thank you for receiving us. We know that your schedule is tight. As the giant of Africa, you are always focused on resolving conflicts in the continent, while taking care of your domestic issues as well”, he told Buhari.
