By Chioma Iruke
The Italian Government has offered to give COVID-19 vaccination to Nigerians resident in Italy, as well as Nigerians on frequent visits to the ancient city.
President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, made the declaration when he received letter of credence from the Nigerian Ambassador to Italy, Mfawa Omini Abam, at the Quirinal Palace, Rome Italy.
President Mattarella who emphasized the need to improve on the diplomatic relations of Italy and Nigeria, said he is happy to receive Abam at this point in time when his country has decided to pursue aggrieve investment in Nigeria.
He assured the Nigerian government that the Italian government will increase cooperation and partnership in Nigeria in all areas, adding that Italy will collaborate more in terms of construction, training college students and security personnel, oil and gas sector, and Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA.
While noting that majority of Nigerians in Italy are law abiding, the Italian president also revealed that his government will continue collaborate with Nigerian government in term of security training to combat terrorism globally.
In his remarks, the Nigerian envoy to Italy reminded the Italian president of the need to rejig the BASA agreement between the two countries that has been abandoned.
“Nigeria and Italy have subsisting bilateral agreements in various fields which are meant to promote our ties. However, many of such agreements have become obsolete and moribund due to non-implementation. Of particular interest is the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) which was to give impetus to direct flights between our two countries in order to boost trade and investment.
“Since Alitalia stopped its operation in Nigeria, there has been no Airline operating the route between Italy and Nigeria. Our people suffer untold hardship travelling for hours and days through third countries,” he noted.
He assured that Nigeria as a country will continue to play her role in Africa as the largest economy focusing on peaceful coexistence, and will continue to work with Italy.
“As the giant of Africa, Nigeria will never relent in its quest to ensure peace in Africa, contribute to the United Nations peace keeping activities and work with Italy in protecting and promoting sustainable world security and peace. The government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledge the enormous contribution made by Italy to promote peace in Africa,” he added.
Ambassador Abam lamented the drop in the Italian companies’ operations in Nigeria in the last 15 years, and promised to do everything possible in his capacity as the Nigerian Ambassador to Italy to bring a total turn around.
“Nigeria is the largest trading partner to Italy in the whole of Africa. It is most regrettable, however, that there has been a noticeable drop in the number of Italian Companies operating in Nigeria in the last 15 years. It is, therefore, my intention to revive our economic ties during my stay in Italy as Ambassador,” he added.
