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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday bade farewell to two outgoing Ambassadors at State House, Abuja, where they both had kind words to say about their tour of duty in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the ambassador of Republic of Angola, Dr Eustaquio Januario Quibato thanked the President for the “wise leadership you’ve been giving to Nigeria,” for being the Champion of Anti-Corruption in Africa, and for degrading the Boko Haram insurgency group.
He also lauded President Buhari for repositioning the Nigerian economy to be less import dependent.
President Buhari recalled the role Nigeria played in the liberation of Angola, noting that the country uses its size and resources to help sister African nations as much as possible.
He said despite the rash of military coups in some parts of the continent, “democracy is still the best option.”
In another audience, President Buhari received the outgoing Ambassador of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dr Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, saying he was quite glad that Nigeria made a good impression on him, as he stated in his remarks.
Recalling that he had been well received anytime he visited UAE, President Buhari assured that the two countries will continue to improve on their relationship, “as we have so much in common.”
Taffaq equally pledged that the two countries will continue to work “on the details of our relationship,” adding that he made lots of friends in government, the private sector, and civil society, in his five-year stay.
He said he traveled extensively in Nigeria, and has come to understand the diversity and culture of the people.
“I am leaving with beautiful memories. I will continue to be close to Nigeria in different capacities,” he promised.
