Travel Entry: Bahamas To Sign Visa Waiver Agreement With Nigeria

Nigeria and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas are committed to signing a visa waiver agreement for Diplomatic and Official Passports holders of both countries. The Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis made the commitment when Ambassador Benaoyagha Okoyen, the High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas paid him courtesy visit. A statement from the Nigerian Embassay in Havana stated that Okoyen paid Davis a courtesy visit, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, Mr Fred Mitchel, at Nassau on Monday. Okoyen is the Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cuba with concurrent accreditation to the Bahamas, Republic of Nicaragua and Honduras. According to the statement, the purpose of the proposed agreement between Nigeria and the Bahamas is to facilitate the entry of citizens of the Government of both countries who are holders of valid diplomatic and official passports, into their respective countries. “The Agreement once concluded would further protect the interest of both countries and strengthen their friendly relations.” Okoyen, attended the various sessions of the Bahamas 2023 Diplomatic Week that celebrated “50 years of Foreign Relations and beyond in an independent Bahamas” between 22-27 October, 2023. He also participated in a hybrid High Level Panel Discussion on “Diplomacy and the next Generation” along with other representatives of the Bahamas, China, Indonesia, USA, and participating students from various schools in the country. While in Nassau, Okoyen also paid a courtesy visit on the Governor-General of the Bahamas, Ms. Cynthia Pratt, who bid the high commissioner farewell as he took formal leave of the host authority in the Bahamas.

Nigeria, Angola Strengthen Bilateral Economic Ties 

Nigeria and Angola, in an effort to enhance economic growth and promote bilateral trade, have strengthened their cooperation. This was revealed during the inaugural Angola-Nigeria Business Forum held in Abuja recently. Speaking during the business forum in Abuja, the Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Angolan Communities, Domingos Lopes, who represented the Minister of External Relations, Angola, His Excellency Téte Antonio, stated that Angola will invest more in strengthening economic and commercial relationship with Nigeria in other to gain vast experience in the diversification of economic production. Angola’s Ambassador, Mr. Jose Bamoquina Zau, highlighted the determination to bring a significant number of Angolan investors to Nigeria, fostering strong partnerships in various sectors, including manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, commerce, tourism, and education. Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, affirmed Nigeria’s eagerness to support Angola’s domestic and foreign aspirations, expecting reciprocity.  An 8-man Angola-Nigeria Business Council was inaugurated during the event. During her vote of thanks, the president of the Angola-Nigeria Business Council, Fifi Ejindu, said the council was established to serve as a driver for economic cooperation between the two countries, with the private sector of both nations taking the lead. She said, “We will continue in the council to seek opportunities for investment and support entrepreneurship on a global level. So, the job has just begun, but I assure you that we are very committed to this cause.”

Tinubu Calls For Strengthening Of Nigeria-EU Relations

President Bola Tinubu has called for the strengthening of cross-sectoral partnership between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) based on the principles of democracy, rule of law, and freedom. Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, who disclosed this said Tinubu stated this when he received a delegation of the EU, led by Ms Jutta Urpilainen, EU Commissioner in charge of International Partnerships. The President welcomed the signing of eight financing agreements between Nigeria and the EU, under the “EU Global Gateway in Nigeria,” at a separate event earlier in Abuja. “Democracy is not an easy process, but we must fight for democracy and struggle for it to win at all times,” the President said. Tinubu stressed the importance of economic cooperation with the EU in the areas of digital education, traditional energy, renewable energy, and broadband access. He told the visiting delegation that Nigeria’s economy was going through several long-lasting reforms to render it capable of pulling millions of Nigerians out of poverty. “We have a young and vibrant population, and we are determined to succeed. If we succeed, democracy succeeds. If we succeed, freedom succeeds. “We need all of our partners’ hands on deck to sail together. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships,” he said. In her remarks, Urpilainen commended Nigeria for playing a pivotal role as a key partner of the EU, not only in politics and economics, but also in shaping the social landscape across the African continent. The EU Commissioner explained that over the past four years, the EU has been working to transform the nature of its relationship with Africa by shifting away from the traditional donor-recipient dynamic. She said that the EU seeks to establish an equal and mutually beneficial partnership through the “Global Gateway” investment programme as a flagship example. She noted that this strategy, agreed at the AU-EU Summit in Brussels last year, sets a goal of 300 billion Euros in investments, with 150 billion Euros allocated to Africa. She thanked Tinubu for the important role Nigeria played in supplying key energy products during its standoff with Russia in recent times. The EU Commissioner noted that the oil and gas partnership can be expanded, while adding that the “Global Gateway” strategy was designed to expedite the green and digital transformations in EU partner countries, with Nigeria standing as one of its most strategic. “We are investing in critical infrastructure such as energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure, as well as in human capital, education, and research,” she said. Other members of the EU delegation include Ms Samuela Isopi, Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS and Ms Rita Laranjinha, Managing Director of the Africa and European External Action Service (EEAS). Others are Ms Lora Borissova, Africa Advisor, Cabinet of EU; and Ms Maria Pilar Palmero Vaquero, Head of Unit for Western Africa, Directorate-General International Partnerships (DG INTPA).