From AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, Abuja
The federal government, has assumed full diplomatic responsibility in Ethiopia, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
This is even as the Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, called for the enhancement of engagements in countering terrorism and violent extremism.
A statement by the Nigeria Embassy/Permanent Mission of Nigeria, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, made available to Daily Sun in Abuja, said consequent upon the deployment of ambassadors appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to key diplomatic missions abroad, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has assumed full functions as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
The statement quoted the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr Mulato Teshome, to have said during the presentation of Letter of Credence by Adeoye, that both countries have leading roles to play in their respective regions for the overall prosperity, peace and security of the continent.
“President Teshome particularly called for the scalling-up of collaboration in the areas of trade and investment, fight against terrorism, and deepening of democratic principles, norms and values between the two friendly nations which both operate a federalist system of government,” the statement said.
The statement also said Adeoye emphasised on the need for a robust cooperation between the two largest democracies in Africa towards achieving a peaceful, secured, inclusive, and sustainable development on the continent of Africa.
“He disclosed that his tenure as ambassador would be marked by focusing on the promotion of trade and investment, as well as increase people-to-people interaction among the citizens of the two countries.
“Ambassador Adeoye further underscored that it is imperative for Nigeria and Ethiopia to always speak with one voice on both continental and global development issues.
“In this regard, he called for the enhancement of engagements in countering terrorism and violent extremism, while intensifying efforts towards the realisation of the pan-African vision for African Renaissance and an integrated continent,” the statement added.
It also said that Adeoye had in similar pattern, presented letters of commission to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Moussa Faki Mahamat and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Dr Abdalla Hamduk, in his capacity as the Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
The statement further said Adeoye had on both occasions, expressed Nigeria’s readiness to play more prominent role in the workings and processes of the two organisations through the repositioning of Nigeria as its key player in promoting the common interest of Africa.
“Ambassador Adeoye also urged for the welfare of Nigerian professionals based in the two organisations to reflect her age-long contribution to Africa’s development.
“With the presentation of credentials and full assumption of duty by His Excellency, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye in Addis Ababa, Nigeria is poised to strengthen its level of engagement in building an integrated, united, peaceful and prosperous Africa by safeguarding the ideals of pan-Africanism and African renaissance,” the statement said