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Nigeria, Kenya Boost Bilateral Ties

Nigeria and Kenya have signed an agreement that will improve bilateral ties in eight areas, some of which are entertainment, tourism, oil and gas and … Continue reading Nigeria, Kenya Boost Bilateral Ties


Goodluck-Jonathan-and-Uhuru-KenyattaNigeria and Kenya have signed an agreement that will improve bilateral ties in eight areas, some of which are entertainment, tourism, oil and gas and information technology.

The two countries signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, during bilateral talks held in the Presidential Villa.

Briefing journalists after the talks, President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya condemned every act of terrorism, describing it as diversionary.

They assured their citizens that the vision to develop their countries would not be derailed by those who perpetrate the act of terrorism.

The Kenyan President is in Nigeria, the biggest economy in Africa, on a three-day state visit.

On arrival, president Kenyatta was accorded a warm presidential reception at the forecourt of the State House, Abuja, with a detachment of the presidential guard formed for the short ceremony.

The two presidents and a delegation comprising of diplomats and businessmen made straight into the president’s office where they, among other issues, discussed how Kenya and Nigeria could collaborate in investments.

Talks at the meeting lasted for about an hour before the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the two countries emerged to sign the agreements which they presented to the press.

The two leaders share the same experience whenever the issue of terrorism is mentioned, but they have insisted that terror cannot stop them from working for their people.

The assignment continued at the banquet hall where the two presidents met with captains of industries from both countries to enhance investments in the two countries.

Several MoUs were also signed in telecoms, oil and gas, cement, banking and finance, hospitality and entertainment.

Sources say the Kenyan President and his delegation are excited about the opportunities that could come out of the visit coming two days before the commencement of the World Economic Forum on Africa to be hosted by Nigeria. It will hold from 7 to 9 May.

They believe Kenyan businesses offer particular skill sets to Nigeria particularly in the service industry and likewise they are looking forward to sharing their wisdom in the oil and gas sector.

They are confident that the visit will be productive, with established partnerships that will further enhance the foundation laid by the two presidents.

Both countries are experiencing terrorists attacks. Over the weekend, a bomb blast occurred in Kenya suspected to have been carried out by the Al Shabaab, few days after a bomb attack in Nyanya in Abuja, suspected to have been carried out by the Boko Haram sect, left at least 19 dead with over 60 injured.