President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday implored ambassadors in the country to prioritise the exploration of new frontiers of trade relations that would be mutually beneficial as they carry out their duties in the country.
This was even as indications emerged yesterday that Africa as the centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy may soon witness changes as the National Assembly has hinted of imminent restructuring to bring it in line with global best practices.
Tinubu, who received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Hungary, Lorand Endreffy; High Commissioner of Rwanda, Christophe Bazivamo; and Ambassador of Ukraine, Ivan Kholostenko, at the State House, Abuja, assured foreign investors of diligent and predictable fund repatriation and the streamlining of the tax system.
Receiving the High Commissioner of Rwanda, the President said the long-standing concerns over trapped funds were receiving attention, assuring that the funds would be processed expeditiously for release.
“We are one family on the continent. We will continue to promote democracy and good governance. I will maintain an open-door policy, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Staff are also available.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we are already working on the issues of double taxation, and it will be properly streamlined to favour business growth. Nigeria is home and a haven for investors,” the President affirmed.
The Rwandan High Commissioner said the government of Rwanda was prepared to enhance bi-lateral relations with Nigeria, with new visa policies and trade agreements.
At the ceremony, Tinubu asked the Ambassador of Hungary to explore all opportunities of building partnership, especially in the areas of agriculture and food security, and how to leverage the experience of the country in technology.
“Thank you so much for taking care of our students who are in your country. We are a very big country, with huge potential to sustainably spur economic growth. We are ready to improve relations, especially in the areas of agriculture and food security,” the President said.
The Hungarian Ambassador commended the President for his bold, courageous and strategic decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy, listing some areas of collaboration to include education, agriculture, food security, security and medical technology.
“My Prime Minister always says that our relations are based on mutual respect,” he added.
The President told the Ukrainian Ambassador that Nigeria would always work for global peace and harmony.
“We are with you in prayers. We will continue to support good governance and democracy, Tinubu said.
In an apparent move to get the President’s buy-in, the chairmen of both the Senate and House of Representatives committees on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Bello and Abdulmumini Jibrin, yesterday met with him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where they pushed for a clearer foreign policy.
Speaking with newsmen after their closed door meeting, Bello affirmed that the nation would soon witness changes in the foreign policy as conscious efforts would be made to improve it.
He further revealed that the President has already taken steps to ensure that.
Bello, who is the immediate past governor of Niger State, stated: “Essentially, we discussed our foreign policies and how to improve and have a robust, clear foreign policy for the understanding of everyone and for the benefit of Nigerians and Nigeria as a country.
“We strongly believe that necessary steps must be taken to improve the image of Nigeria and Nigerians in the international scene. And I am glad Mr. President has taken bold steps towards ensuring that.
“So, in the coming months, hopefully, we’ll start seeing some changes with regards to our foreign policies that will be clear and well understood by all concerned to ensure that Nigeria and Nigerians are given the right place in the international scene.
“So, essentially, without wasting of time, that is the reason we saw Mr. President today, and I think we had a very good meeting. And we agreed that the executive arm and the legislative arm would work together towards achieving these goals.”
