Minster of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has conferred honorary citizenship of Abuja on the Prime Minister of Italy, Mr. Matteo Renzi even as he presented him with the key to the City of Abuja.
The Minister made the conferment today at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, while receiving the Italian Prime Minister who is on a one-day state visit to Nigeria. Muahammad Bello said that the key to the City of Abuja confers him the Honorary Citizenship of Abuja, with all the rights and privileges.
He emphasized that this honour has been bestowed on the visiting Prime Minister as mark of respect for the strong friendship and cordial relationship between the people of Nigeria and Italy.
The Minister, who welcomed the Italian visiting Prime Minister to the City, described Abuja as the symbol of national unity of the country.
Responding, the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, who led a strong delegation of Italian Government and people to have audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, appreciated the honour done to him.
The Prime Minister reiterated that Nigeria and Italy have long standing diplomatic relationship that ought to be strengthened for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has signed an agreement on intelligence sharing, capacity building and provision of logistics that will enhance the operations of the Nigeria Police.
The signing of agreement, witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and Prime Minister Renzi, in the State House was part of bilateral meeting between the two countries which covered issues on energy, security, agriculture, immigration, human and drug trafficking, infrastructure and education.
The agreement on enhancing cooperation between the Nigerian and Italian Police was signed by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and the Italian National Police Chief, Alessandro Pansa.
Speaking at the bilateral meeting, President Buhari said he was impressed with the relationship between Nigeria and Italy over the years, especially in the areas of security, construction, oil and gas and the exploration of solid minerals.
“I am impressed by the resilience and commitment of the Italian business to Nigeria’s development shown by the Italian construction companies and companies in the oil sector.
‘‘I am happy to hear that an Italian oil company, Eni ltd, is investing 4 billion U S dollars in the coming three years in the economy spite of the downward spiral of oil prices,’’ the President said.
In his remarks, the Italian Prime Minister said his country will support Nigeria in the ongoing fight against corruption, terrorism and also encourage Italian companies to invest more in sectors that will enable growth and create jobs for Nigerians like power, agriculture and solid minerals. [myad]
