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Nigeria seeks increased bilateral relations with Greece

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Nigeria seeks increased bilateral relations with Greece

Nigeria seeks increased bilateral relations with Greece

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has called for increased bilateral relations, especially in economic ties, with the Hellenic Republic of Greece.

The call was made on the heels of Greece announcing a donation of almost one million COVID-19 vaccines to the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, made the call on Monday in Abuja when he received in audience, his counterpart from Greece, Nikos Dendias.

Onyeama, while speaking during the visit, said he was surprised to learn that the visit was the first by any Greek Foreign Minister to Nigeria. 

The Minister expressed gratitude to the Greek Foreign Minister for deeming it fit to move towards improving the relations of his country with Nigeria. 

He added that Greece and Nigeria, have a strong history going back over a century, with Greek traders that were in Nigeria who made a huge impact on the economy and relations of both countries. 

He said many Nigerians grew up knowing about Greek businesses in the country, noting that both countries have a very strong basis to build on the existing bond between them and to re-invigorate the relationship.

He however added that in the 21st century, faced with new challenges, Nigeria seeks to diversify her economy to industrialize the country, and looks up to new partners for assistance. 

He said: “As we seek to diversify our economy to attract more investments, make our country more investor friendly, we see Greece as a country that can provide a win-win trade relationship and cultural relationship between our two countries.”

He informed the visiting Minister that infrastructure was an area that President Muhammadu Buhari has prioritized, and revealed that the existing good relations with Greece in the training and exchange of military personnel has benefitted some Nigerian military officials. 

Also Read: ‘We don’t have enough boots on the ground,…

He however said there were so many other areas such as agriculture and heavy industries where both countries could cooperate. 

In his remarks, Dendias said the visit was symbolic, wondering why it took so long to witness the visit of a Greek Foreign Minister in Nigeria.

He also said Greece considered Nigeria as a neighbour because Greece sees the Mediterranean Sea not as a dividing border, but as a connecting bridge. 

He said: “We very well appreciate that Africa is the fastest growing economy in the world, Nigeria is the biggest economy in sub-Saharan Africa. You are the biggest country in Africa. 

“We are not that big, we are a proud member of the European Union and we see ourselves as being able to facilitate communication between Europe, when we stand on the southern border and Africa, and Nigeria.”

Nigeria seeks increased bilateral relations with Greece

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Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA

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Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.

Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.

Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.

She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.

According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.

She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.

“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.

“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.

While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.

She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.

The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.

“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.

Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.

Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.

She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.

The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda

Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA

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Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue

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Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue

By: Michael Mike

Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.

The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.

This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.

Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.

Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.

Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue

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FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary

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FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.

Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.

He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.

The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.

He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.

FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary

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