Buhari
assures ambassadors of stronger ties
Posted By: Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja On: October
18, 2018 In: Featured, News Update
…Hails
Saudi Arabia over immigration policies
President
Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja assured ambassadors in Nigeria of
continued support and ease of access to ensure improved relations and shared
benefits for both countries.
He
also commended Saudi Arabia for creating a more enabling environment for
pilgrims who visited in 2018.
Buhari
gave the assurance while receiving Letters of Credence from the Ambassadors of
the Republic of Turkey, Ahmet Melih Ulueren, High Commissioner of the Peoples’
Republic of Bangladesh, E.M.D. Shameem Ahsan and Ambassador of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, Adnan Bin Mahmoud Bin Muhammad Bostasi, at the Presidential
Villa, Abuja.
The
President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media
and publicity, Garba Shehu, told the Saudi Arabian envoy that Nigeria was
particularly delighted with the support it had received from the country on
security and economic issues, adding that the immigration and logistic
challenges encountered by pilgrims had been significantly smoothened.
He
said “I have written a letter to His Majesty suggesting the creation of more
bio-metric capturing centres so that Nigerians, who travel for Hajj in
thousands, will find the experience easier.
“I
appreciate His Majesty’s large-heartedness in accommodating pilgrims from all
the over the world, and do extend our deep gratitude for all the hospitality,’’
he said.
President
Buhari said the economic and trade relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia
had expanded over the years, describing the historical alliance between both
countries as “nostalgic’’.
The
President commended the growing trade relations with Turkey and the historical
relevance of the country to the world, assuring the ambassador that His
government will support efforts for a deeper and richer relationship.
He
said Nigeria had a lot to learn from Bangladesh on agriculture, noting that the
partnership had already started.
In
his remarks, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador said his government had started work
on increasing registration offices for pilgrims and easing the immigration
processes.
“We
are working on improving the offices. It is a very big project. We are looking
at concluding immigration issues from the take-off points like Kano and Abuja
so that pilgrims can arrive in Saudi Arabia and move straight to the mosque,’’
he added.
He
said Nigeria and Saudi Arabia share the same vision of ending terrorism and
fighting corruption.
The
High Commissioner of Bangladesh said his country’s population of 160 million
people had largely remained “self-sufficient’’ in feeding, adding that the
experience on self-reliance on agriculture can be shared with Nigeria.
The
Turkish Ambassador congratulated President Buhari for Nigeria’s robust
statement at the United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA), which captured the
burning issues of migration and need to restructure UN.
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