President Emmanuel Macron of France, arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, at the Presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 3 pm, on an official visit. He was welcomed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama before inspecting the Presidential Guard of Honour. The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello also presented him with a plaque before he left for the Presidential Villa to meet with President Buhari for the first time since the Nigerian president assumed office in 2015. The French president who is a supporter of the African culture also expressed delight when he visited Afrika Shrine inspired by Fela Kuti at Ikeja, Lagos State on Tuesday night at an event tagged “Celebrate African Culture,” in the company of Governor Ambode. Here are some of the major reasons the Minister of Foreign Affairs gave, which necessitated President Macron’s visit to Nigeria:
- To support improved ties and trade relations between the two countries.
- To further help reinforce the French support to Nigeria in the areas of security, trade and cultural ties.
- In the area of economy, France has been one of the big investors in the country, hence, more investment is expected with the visit of president Macron.
- To work towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for French Energy and Environmental companies for an environmental project in Ogun State. This project is looking at reforestation and also brings in investments there in developing timber and other agricultural products that will now, in turn, create about 150,000 jobs.
- President Macron expressed the readiness of French government to promote the sport and cultural relations between Nigeria and France to address the problem of unemployment among youths in both countries.
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