President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to deepening {economic} relations with the UK, significantly within the aviation sector and different mutually useful areas.
The President gave the peace of mind on Wednesday when he met with a delegation from British Airways led by the British Excessive Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, and the Industrial Officer of British Airways, Mr. Colm Lacy, on the State Home, Abuja.
Tinubu, whereas highlighting the longstanding and productive partnership between each international locations, famous that Nigeria locations nice worth on its strategic relationship with Britain.
The President significantly mirrored on his latest go to to the UK and the reception he obtained from the Royal Household.
He assured the delegation that the partnership would proceed to create alternatives for development, funding, and shared prosperity.
In accordance with the President: “It’s a very nice pleasure to share with you this afternoon. The transformation and strengthening of our relationship over the previous 90 years is a milestone worthy of celebration. And I nonetheless relish the reminiscence of my final go to to Nice Britain and the great reception I obtained from His Majesty King Charles III. I’ll without end cherish that reminiscence.
“We additionally maintain in excessive regard our relationship with His Majesty the King. His long-standing dedication to sustainability and to strengthening the Commonwealth, significantly the connection between Nigeria and Nice Britain, should proceed to reinforce cooperation that aligns with our personal nationwide priorities.
“I guarantee you we are going to proceed to try this, and this engagement confirms the bilateral relations that we have now loved over time. Our forebears wished us to proceed.”
Tinubu acknowledged the vital function of British Airways in fostering {economic} and people-to-people connections between Nigeria and the UK, noting that Nigeria is present process reforms to strengthen the economic system and state establishments.
“Nigeria remains to be going by reforms and transformation of our aviation business and each side of our economic system. We should meet world requirements and encourage people-to-people connections whereas selling the essence of commerce and partnership on this sector,” he mentioned.
The President additionally expressed appreciation to the British Authorities for the quite a few enterprise and funding alternatives prolonged to Nigeria over time.
“We have a good time with you your exceptional 90 years of operation in Nigeria, and we hope we are going to proceed to reinforce and encourage that relationship for a stronger and extra rewarding partnership,” he added.
Tinubu additional knowledgeable the delegation that one of many earliest achievements of his administration was settling excellent liabilities owed to airways working in Nigeria.
“You’ve seen that since I assumed workplace, the excellent liabilities and different hiccups which might be hindrances to our relationship are being resolved by the Central {Bank} of Nigeria, and we hope to strengthen all of that,” he mentioned.
In his remarks, Mr. Colm Lacy traced British Airways’ long-standing relationship with Nigeria, stating that the airline has served generations of Nigerians for the previous 90 years, facilitating commerce, funding, and alternatives between each international locations.
“Our relationship started in 1936 and has journeyed throughout generations. Nigeria shouldn’t be merely a vacation spot however a long-standing, most valued market in a rustic with which we share robust people-to-people, enterprise, instructional, and cultural ties.
“Day by day our companies help Nigerian entrepreneurs, college students, households, and vacationers connecting from Nigeria to the UK and all around the world, serving to in commerce, funding, and alternatives in each instructions,” he mentioned.
Lacy counseled the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Growth, Festus Keyamo, in addition to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Airports Authority for his or her professionalism, which he mentioned has enhanced security and credibility within the aviation sector.
He additionally praised the Central {Bank} of Nigeria for its dedication to resolving overseas change points and restoring confidence amongst overseas airways working in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Growth, Festus Keyamo, knowledgeable the gathering that British Airways now operates model new plane on the London–Nigeria route.
He additionally famous that the airline has complied with the Federal Authorities’s coverage of supporting native caterers by serving Nigerian dishes on worldwide outbound flights.
Additionally talking, the UK Excessive Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, expressed delight on the 90-year relationship between British Airways and Nigeria.
He thanked President Tinubu for his latest state go to to the UK, throughout which a number of enterprise agreements have been signed to spice up commerce and {economic} ties.
“I do know that Their Majesties, the King and the Queen, have been delighted with the go to. And I hope that your excellency and your staff really feel happy in regards to the substance, not simply the ceremony, that some very large funding offers have been agreed, together with the rehabilitation of Lagos Ports, which we’re delighted to help with financing and UK content material,” he mentioned.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Times Nigeria