Bilateral Consultations Between Nigeria, Australia Gets Underway In Abuja
…As Trade, Mining, Agriculture, Food Security In Focus
By Raphael Ekpang
As Nigerian government keep exploring every avenues towards lifting the standard of living of its citizens, Nigeria and Australia’s delegates have commenced a high-level bilateral consultation on Wednesday in Abuja, with the view to strengthening areas of collaboration between the two countries as well as exploring new ones.
In her opening remarks, the head of Nigeria’s delegation, Ambassador Janet Olisa, the Director of Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaks on the similarities between the two nations, saying “we believe we are close to the same climates, not much of a difference, highlighting, Trade and Investment, Food Security among their areas of focus.
Oliss emphasized on the importance of trade, saying the economy is what makes and breaks a country. Adding that with a robust economy, a country will definitely know how to leverage on other aspects of life.
Meanwhile, Amb. Olisa heaped praises on Australia’s efforts in prioritising agriculture and harnessing renewable energy, particularly solar power, noting that Nigeria at the cause of the consultation would like to learn from them.
Olisa said, “The consultation provides a platform for senior officials from both countries to discuss areas of collaboration, leverage on past successes, and introduce new initiatives.”
“There are areas of key importance like in the mining sector, which is the stronghold of the Australian government, an area where you are well known. And it’s an area we’ll like to further develop our relationship
“We can also talk about food security. A hungry nation is an insecure nation. And Australia has definitely shown in your area that agriculture has been given a very top priority. We’ll like to learn from what you have done. We’ll like to see what’s the best practice, most especially the way you have harnessed God-given soil.
“The solar system is another area we’ll like to see what’s good and how best we can collaborate with each other”.
However, the head of Australia’s delegation, Marc Innes-Brown, First Assistant Secretary, Middle East and Africa Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, admitted that Nigeria is a crucial partner for Australia internationally and in the region.
He said his country recognise Nigeria’s importance and the common interests they share.
According to Innes-Brown, “We’ve seen an increase in engagement over the past year or two, and we’re delighted to have supported Nigeria’s investment forum in Melbourne last year.
“The world is grappling with climate issues – that’s one of the areas of cooperation we are seeking to take forward, as well as agriculture.
“Just last week, we had a delegation here to develop a programme of capacity building in climate resistance and agriculture. Hopefully, that will be a new and helpful form of collaboration as we move forward. I’m hopeful that today we’ll make some practical new measures to take forward as we collaborate,” he said.
The Nigeria delegation was loaded with top officials from the Federal Ministry of Information and Orientation, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Ministry of Steel Development, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Security Adviser, among others in attendance.
