Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan tuesday urged the new Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Carsten Nilaus Pederson and four others to focus attention on the strengthening of economic ties during their tenures in the country.

The president told the ambassador that Nigeria wanted more robust economic relations with the Nordic countries.

The other new Ambassadors are Mr. Isaac Genesis Munlo (Malawi), Mr. Shyam Lal Tabadar (Nepal), Mr. Myint Naung (Myanmar) and Mr. Alex Lamadrid (Philippines).

President Jonathan spoke yesterday after he received letters of credence from the ambassadors during different audiences at State House, Tuesday.

The president, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Dr Reuben Abati, also told the new Malawian Ambassador that his administration was working hard to make agriculture a business in Nigeria, instead of a subsistence occupation, in order to attract younger farmers and provide more jobs.

He acknowledged and welcomed the ongoing cooperation with Philippines and the training of Nigerian seafarers in that country.

The new ambassadors acknowledged the positive leadership role Nigeria has played in the African continent and commended President Jonathan for sustaining the tradition.

They expressed their commitment to strengthening relations between their countries and Nigeria, for the mutual benefit of the people on both sides.

The new ambassadors, whose presentation of letters of credence coincided with the President's birthday, wished him happy birthday.