President Goodluck Jonathan on THursday, July 24, 2014 canvassed for deeper, stronger and more cooperative partnership between Nigeria and other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The president spoke when he had separate audiences with the new Ambassadors of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigeria after receiving their letters of credence at the Presidential Villa.
In a statement issued by the president’s spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan observed that such partnerships would in no small measure act as catalyst in decision-making process within OPEC, and also open doors of opportunities for investment and socio-economic collaboration among its members.
“The president told the new Ambassador of the UAE, Mr. Mahmud Mohammed Mahmud Al-Mahumud, and the new Qatari Ambassador, Mr. Abdul Aziz Bin Mubarak Seed Al Muhannadi, that the cordial diplomatic and political relationship between Nigeria and other OPEC member-countries ought to be translated into more beneficial engagements.
“President Jonathan noted that the ongoing transformation agenda of the federal government has thrown up more opportunities for investments in agriculture, real estate development, power generation, manufacturing and other areas in Nigeria.” he said.
The president charged UAE, 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 real estate, and they are doing very well. We want to see them also in agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas and other areas,’’ he stressed.
According to the statement, both ambassadors assured the president of doing their best to improve trade and economic relations between their respective countries and Nigeria during their tenures.
