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Nigeria: Country Key to Afro-Asian Ties - VP
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This Day (Lagos)
20 May 2008
Posted to the web 20 May 2008
Juliana Taiwo
Abuja
The Vice-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has emphasized Nigeria 's status as a key player in facilitating development ties between Africa and Asia.
The Vice-President stated this when he received in audience the outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria , Mr. H.H.S. Viswanathan at the State House yesterday."Nigeria must be a key leader in driving the development relationship between Africa and Asia, especially with India, considering our population, market and position in Africa. If India and Africa must have a good relationship, then Nigeria and South Africa must drive that relationship."
He stressed that key developmental issues were raised with President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua when the Indian Prime Minister visited Nigeria recently, and pledged the Nigerian government's commitment to following them to the letter.
The Vice-President, however, expressed mixed feelings at the High Commissioner's valedictory visit, saying his tenure had opened a new vista in the relationship between both countries."You are one of the most knowledgeable persons in India about Nigeria. Please consider yourself as Nigeria 's Ambassador to India. As you go, we wish you a safe journey and a rewarding retirement", he said.
Earlier in his remark, Viswanathan described Nigeria as India's biggest trading partner in Africa noting Indo-Nigeria co-operation remains at its best.
According to him, trade relations between both countries, which he puts at over $8bn, have grown phenomenally in the last four years while negotiations are ongoing for fresh bilateral agreements to be signed between both countries.
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He expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Nigeria for the warm reception and acceptance he received during his tenure.
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