FOR THE RECORD:

SPEECH OF AMBASSADOR DEBO J. ADESINA ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF HIS LETTERS OF CREDENCE TO HIS

EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT FAURE ESSOZIMNA GNASSINGBE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TOGO ON JULY 23, 2021

I thank you, Your Excellency, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, President of the Republic of Togo, for receiving me this day, to present my Letters of Credence.

I also wish to appreciate the Minister of Foreign Affairs, of Regional Integration and Togolese from Abroad, Professor Robert Dussey, for his assistance and cooperation since my arrival in Togo.

I would like to convey the good wishes of President Muhammadu Buhari, and the people of Nigeria to Your Excellency and to the good, accommodating people of Togo.

I salute you, your government and the entire country for a well- organised and impressive fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

For giving women, in very good numbers, positions of responsibility and authority in your government, I must remark, Mr President, you have set the pace in our region and set the tone for a chorus which must be sung by all who believe in the future of Africa and the pivotal role of our women in it.

Nigeria and Togo are strong allies and strategic partners. We have a long history of togetherness. Our joint leadership in fostering unity in the West African sub-region and our shared vision of dignity for our people remain examples for many to follow.

It is in this regard that the key component of my mandate, as given by President Muhammadu Buhari, is to vigorously pursue economic diplomacy and strengthen our partnership in the areas of trade and economic development for the benefit of our people.

Therefore, as Ambassador, I will seek to expand the frontiers of our trade relations and economic cooperation. I will work for the resuscitation of the Bilateral Trade Agreements between Nigeria and Togo as well as the reactivation of Nigeria-Togo Joint Commission.

Your Excellency, I will also seek to promote the change agenda of President Buhari by joining hands with you in your commtted fight against corruption and a relentless one against insecurity.

The development of infrastructure, reducing unemployment, eradication of poverty and many other things in your Development Agenda are in tune with President Buhari’s vision.

In Nigeria, therefore, you have a strong supporter.

Finally, I am committed to sustaining Nigeria's policy of good neighbourliness and continued quest for the unity of Africa.

As Africans, we are one. Our borders are lines of convenience, not barriers to our unity and collective progress.

As I begin this journey, I count on Your Excellency's support for a successful tenure signposted by unparalleled cooperation between our countries and unprecedented prosperity for all Nigerians and Togolese.

Ambassador Adebowale ADESINA Lome, Togo