Goodluck Jonathan
Nigerian President |
Nigeria is safe to visit – Jonathan
The Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday assured the international community that Nigeria was safe to visit and invest in.
Jonathan gave the assurance while exchanging views with the out-going French Ambassador, Mr Jean-Michel Dumond, who paid him a farewell visit at the State House Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He said the visit of the French Foreign Minister, Mr Alain Juppe, to Kano last Saturday, as well as the outgoing ambassador's visit to Kebbi and Sokoto states had proved that Nigeria was safe.
He also recalled the visit of the French Prime Minister to the Niger Delta in 2009 when other nationals were reluctant to visit that part of the country.
Commendation
Jonathan commended President Nicolas Sarkozy of France for the tremendous support Nigeria and Africa had enjoyed from his country, especially in the restoration of peace, stability and democracy in Cote d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Guinea and Liberia.
Improving investing environment
On bilateral issues, the president said his administration’s Economic Management Team was working hard to improve the country’s investment environment, particularly power supply.
He acknowledged the contributions of Dumond in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier, Dumond had said that his stay in Nigeria since January 2008 had enabled him to realise that the misconceptions about the country were not justified.
He said that his efforts to enlighten the French business community about Nigeria had led to the presence of over 120 French companies in the country.
Dumond said Nigeria was the leading French trading partner in Africa. He noted that there were still much to be done to consummate the strategic partnership between both countries.
He said France had proved that the two countries were strong partners, listing areas of mutual cooperation to include trade, security assistance, promotion of democracy and manpower development.
The out-going ambassador thanked Jonathan for the cooperation he enjoyed from his government during his tenure.
NAN/Adekusibe/Williams
|
