By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has called for more collaborative effort among African countries for the development of the region.
He made the remark while receiving the Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore on Wednesday.
Wike said the cooperation would enable the continent to sustain its development strategies.
He also commended Cote d’Ivoire for developing the land given to the embassy in the Nation’s capital, Abuja.
According to him, FCT Administration asked embassies with other individuals to develop their abandoned plots as another means of fighting insecurity in the territory.
Wike said, “We will continue to strengthen our relationship, luckily our President is the Chair and so, we will do everything we can to see that our relationship is smooth and cordial, in such a way that they would be a symbiotic relationship. If there are things you think we should do, do not hesitate to let us know.
“I thank you for developing the land that was given to you. The whole essence why we request that people must develop their plots is to fight insecurity, we do not want to leave certain areas for miscreants to take over”
On cooperation, Wike said, “it is very important. There is need for us to cooperate among African countries, among ECOWAS countries, if there is that understanding. So I’ll be glad when I see the proposal for us to see how we can have relationship between Abuja and Yamoussoukro, which is the political capital of Cote d’Iviore”.
The Cote d’Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore said his visit to the minister was to intimate the minister of FCT on the development of land that was given to the embassy.
“One of the reasons why I am here today, is because of the development of land that has been given to Cote D’iviore in Maitama. We received a letter from you in November, giving us a period to develop the area. I am very pleased to tell you that we are about to start work.
“We were given here in Nigeria, two main lands, one at the diplomatic drive area and the other, at Maitama. We have built a big building at the diplomatic drive area and we are about to start another wing in Maitama.
“Another purpose why I’m here is about cooperation between Cote D’iviore and Nigeria. You know Nigeria is the biggest country in the region and Cote D’iviore is also the biggest country among the Francophone country.
“So our mission here, is to strengthen cooperation between the countries in different areas. I also want to come to you to make a proposal of twinning Abuja and the political capital of Cote D’iviore, Yamoussoukro to find a way we can move forward”
