President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, said that the positive reports on Nigerians in the diaspora would inspire the younger generation on values that enhance the nation’s image.
The President commended diaspora Nigerians While receiving Letters of Credence from four envoys at the State House, said that Nigerians are active in education, sports, science, health, and business in his country.
The envoys are the High Commissioner of Canada, Pasquale Salvaggio; the High Commissioner of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius F. Sandy; the Ambassador of Ethiopia, Legesse Geremew Haile; and the Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty.
The President lauded Nigerians’ accomplishments abroad, describing them as an inspiration to many.
‘It is good to hear about how Nigerians are doing well in the diaspora again’, he said.
The Canadian envoy had earlier said that Nigerians in his country demonstrate high responsibility, civility, and purposefulness when pursuing their goals.
‘For us, Nigeria is a key partner. You are the largest country in Africa, with one of the largest economies. You are also Canada’s largest trading partner in Africa.
“I would like to advance the positive relations over the years. The diaspora in Canada is dynamic and strong. We have Nigerians in government, business, science, and sports. We want to build the ties further’, Salvaggio, who had previously worked in Ghana and Cote’Ivoire, said.
He said that Canada seeks to expand its interest in oil and gas, ICT, and agriculture in its partnership with Nigeria.
During the meeting with the High Commissioner of Sierra Leone, President Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria’s interest in developing the West Coast and Africa remains a priority.
The President told the envoy that Nigeria’s decades-long investment in Sierra Leone has contributed to Africa’s progress and promoted bilateral relations.
The High Commissioner thanked the President for Nigeria’s support in keeping the country together.
‘In Sierra Leone, more Nigerians are doing business than Sierra Leoneans. Most of my teachers in school were Nigerians. There is no difference between a Nigerian and a Sierra Leonean when you are walking in the street of Freetown’, Sandy said.
At another meeting with the new Ethiopian envoy, President Tinubu discussed the warm relations between both countries.
‘We need to continue pursuing peace in our continent. We need to work hard together to promote peace and stability. Our challenge in Africa is insecurity. Insecurity detracts from development. We do not have anybody that will bring peace to us, except we work for it’, the President said.
The Ambassador of Ethiopia remarked: ‘I am in Nigeria to build on the achievements of my predecessors. We will focus on culture. Our cultural relations are a big industry, already enhanced by the Ethiopian Airline’.
After receiving the Letter of Credence from the Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican, President Tinubu commended the Catholic Church for its investments in education and interventions to reduce poverty.
‘We have a lot of value for education in Nigeria, and the Catholic Church has done a lot in that regard, as well as in fighting poverty. Education reduces ignorance and poverty’, he added.
President Tinubu said he looked forward to receiving the Vatican’s leadership in Nigeria.
