By Ebi Kesiena
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to advancing democracy across the African continent.
This was contained in a statement issued by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State, following a courtesy visit by Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nancy Gladys Tembo, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted that democracy remains a core pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy strategy, known as the “4Ds” Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
She pledged Nigeria’s technical and diplomatic support for Malawi’s upcoming general elections scheduled for September.
Welcoming Malawi’s plan to open an embassy in Abuja, she described it as a milestone that would deepen bilateral ties between both nations. She also expressed hope that the move would revive dormant Memoranda of Understanding signed in 2012 during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Malawi.
The Minister encouraged Malawi to take advantage of Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps, particularly in addressing the shortage of qualified teachers and healthcare personnel, noting that countries like Namibia already benefit from such manpower support.
In her remarks, Minister Tembo underscored Malawi’s desire to strengthen ties with Nigeria, leveraging her visit to the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meeting in Abuja. She commended Nigerian business presence in Malawi and invited Nigerian investors to explore the country’s untapped mineral resources.
Tembo expressed enthusiasm about enhanced cooperation and extended an invitation to Odumegwu-Ojukwu to visit Malawi soon.
