President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that participation of citizens in democracy will continue to be encouraged through freedom of speech and robust political discourse, urging respect for divergent cultures and opinions, and upholding the unity of the country.
Receiving Letters of Credence from Ambassadors and High Commissioners of six countries at the State House, the President told the diplomats that Nigeria’s strength remains in its diversity, and the constant differences in positions further signpost a strong democratic culture.
The Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Republic of India, Mr Gangadharan Balasubramanian, Germany, Mrs Annett Gunther, Sudan, Mr Mohamed Yousif Ibrahim Abdelmannan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mrs Gerengbo Yakivu Pascaline, State of Palestine, Abdullah M.A. Abu Shawesh and The Kingdom of Netherlands, Mr Willem Wouter Plomp, presented their Letters of Credence to President Buhari.
President Buhari urged the diplomats to build on the existing good relations that their predecessors had achieved by being more proactive in engagements.
He said Nigeria firmly remains committed to multilateralism, stressing that the country has continue to make steady progress, despite the daunting challenges of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and it efforts in promoting good governance, amongst other things.
While welcoming the Ambassadors and High Commissioners, and their families to Nigeria, President Buhari wished them a rewarding tour of duty.
On behalf of the diplomats, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria assured President Buhari of the full support of their countries, especially as Nigeria counts down to the 2023 elections, adding that they would work with his government, and the leader that emerges after the elections
Balasubramanian said all the Ambassadors and High Commissioners will work to consolidate on existing good relations, while Germany will focus on climatic issues, and The Kingdom of Netherlands pursuing interests in agriculture and stimulating youths’ capacity in entrepreneurship.
BELLO WAKILI