President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the international community to take advantage of Nigeria’s rich endowment to develop the youths, noting that human capital, integration and employment remain dear to his administration.
At a brief ceremony yesterday to receive letters of credence of envoys of Belgium, Mauritania, Austria and Norway at the State, Abuja, the President said: “Nigeria is ready to pursue broader dialogue, as well as enhance cooperation and collaboration on the basis of constructive mutual respect and shared vision for our future.
“As you may know, Nigeria is an ethnic and culturally diverse society with various opportunities which we seek to creatively utilise for the benefit of our people. We are also a country with a huge population, which is predominantly youthful.
“These pose new challenges. As Nigeria relates with your countries, it is our expectation that we should leverage the advantages for youth development in our country.
The accredited ambassadors are Daniel Bertrand (Belgium); Amedi Camara (Mauritania); Thomas Schlesinger (Austria) and Knut Eiliv Lein of Norway.
Buhari said the most populous black nation enjoys very good bilateral relations with the accredited countries.
“Allow me to offer you my sincere congratulations as you commence your diplomatic duties as defined by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. As we celebrate its 60th anniversary next year, it is my hope that you will carry out your mandates to improve existing cordial relations among our countries consistent with provisions of this time-honoured convention,” he added.
The President went on: “Nigeria shares common problems of insecurity, climate change and socio-economic challenges with others nations.
“Notwithstanding these challenges, efforts are being made to overcome them. I invite you to partner with us in addressing these difficulties.
“As a global family, we are impacted by several other common challenges like terrorism, insurgency, climate change, population explosion, human trafficking, corruption, poverty and now, the global health pandemic which coronavirus represents, considering its mayhem across the world.”
He stressed the need for the international community to resolve these numerous problems in the interest of humanity.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Belgian diplomat pledged improved ties in different spheres of the economy.
“Your Excellency, we are at your disposal to strengthen and narrow the ties, not only in economic and commercial issues, but also in cultural terms,” he added.
