President Goodluck Jonathan has called for deeper, stronger and more cooperative partnerships between Nigeria and other members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Jonathan made the call yesterday at the State House in Abuja while speaking at separate audiences with the new ambassador the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigeria, Mr. Mahmud Mohammed Mahmud Al-Mahumud, and his Qatar counterpart, Mr. Abdul Aziz Bin Mubarak Seed Al Muhannadi, after receiving their letters of credence.
He said partnerships among OPEC nations would improve the decision-making process of the organisation and open up more opportunities for investment and socio-economic collaboration, among other things.
The president told the new ambassadors of that the cordial diplomatic and political relationship between Nigeria and other OPEC member-countries ought to be translated into more beneficial engagements.
He, therefore, urged the United Arab Emirates Qatar and other OPEC countries to take advantage of the immense potential of Nigeria’s large market and the new investment opportunities in the country which offer quick and high returns.
“We have already seen companies from the UAE investing in telecommunications, and in real estate, and they are doing very well. We want to see them also in agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, and other areas.”
In their remarks, the two ambassadors assured the president that they would do their best to improve trade and economic relations between their countries and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan also had a farewell audience with the outgoing ambassador of Finland, Mrs. Rita Korpivaara, and commended her efforts to enhance bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland.
