Nigeria Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has suggested the creation of a bilateral economic council that can bring business interests from Nigeria and Liberia together.
Osinbajo, who spoke when he received in audience, Vice President of Liberia, Mr. Joseph Nyumah Boakai in his office at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Monday, stressed the necessity for African nations to work together, especially in developing their economies for the benefit of their people ahead of other forms of international cooperation.
“We have to help ourselves first before others come, we should look for ways we can benefit each other.”
Professor Osinbajo said that there are Nigerian business people that can invest in Liberia, even as he said: “we must engender stronger relationships between our countries that are what Africans need.”
He stressed the important task for African governments to create enabling environments for agricultural and industrial development, saying: “our people depend on what government is able to do for them.”
Vice President Boakai of Liberia described Nigeria as a very important big brother to Liberia, adding: “you have made a lot of sacrifices to our country, including through ECOMOG and the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL.”
He acknowledged that Nigerian businesses are helping the West Africa country in sectors like aviation, banking, insurance and investments.
He said that there are teachers and doctors from Nigeria who are currently helping to set up schools and health infrastructure in Liberia.
“We are grateful to our brothers and sisters here. We want this relationship to go on; this is the way Africans should go.” [myad]
