President Goodluck Jonathan said on Thursday in Abuja that Nigeria was concerned about peace and stability on the continent.

Jonathan, who made the remark when he received the outgoing Tanzanian High Commissioner, Mr Msuya Mangachi, at the State House, said the proliferation of small arms was contributing to the crisis on the continent.

"African countries must work together for the overall benefit of the continent, and we believe we can play a positive role in strengthening Africa," he said.

The president said that Nigeria strongly believe in the unity of African nations, and would continue to work with other countries to achieve mutually beneficial relationships.

He commended the outgoing High Commissioner for bringing the two countries closer during his five-year tenure

Jonathan cited the ongoing construction of a cement plant in Tanzania by Alhaji Aliko Dangote as a reward for the commissioner's work.

Earlier, Mangachi had commended "Nigeria's wonderful and consistent foreign policy," saying that "Nigeria is a friend and brother in deed".

Mangachi said his country's economic diplomacy had been successful, with the ongoing construction of a 2.5m metric tonne per year cement plant by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

He said the opening of branches of some of Nigerian banks in Tanzania was another success story, and thanked Jonathan for the support he enjoyed during his tenure.