Foreign news
UAE-Nigeria Bilateral Relations Advancing Rapidly For Economic Growth – Envoy
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Salem AlShamsi said both his country and Nigeria’s relations is rapidly advancing across all fields to boost their economies.
The ambassador said this at the UAE 53rd National Day celebration on Wednesday in Abuja.
The celebration, with theme, “Year of Sustainability’’ was declared by the President, Sheikh Mohammed Al Nahyan.
Also as part of the country’s sustainable efforts, it will be hosting Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week from Jan. 12 to Jan. 18, 2025.
The UAE national celebration, known as the Eid Al Eithad in Arabic, is a day to celebrate the country’s heritage of deep-rooted tradition.
The remembrance of a shared union has allowed for rich cultural diversity in the UAE.
The envoy said that 2024 had witnessed the resumption of UAE visa issuance, the return of Emirates Airlines and the launch of Thuraya services by Al Yah Satellite Communication in Nigeria.
He also said that the American Hospital Dubai Offices in had been opened Lagos and Abuja.
“These developments are part of the ongoing efforts to further strengthen the robust economic ties between our nations.
“Our bilateral, non-oil trade grew by 22 per cent between 2022 and 2023, rising from 2.2 billion dollars to 2.7 billion dollars. The UAE has also provided 22.3 million dollars in humanitarian aid.
“In this context, the Noor Dubai Foundation launched an eye treatment campaign in Abuja, treating over 3, 000 people, continuing its efforts since 2019, during which its has treated over 9 million people.
“We look forward to a robust future while being proud of our achievements so far, ” he said.
He said a personal point of pride for him was the fact that the UAE relationship with Nigeria was institutional based on the respect and mutual support in all fields,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the high point of the event was when two people won an all expense paid trip to the UAE sponsored by Emirates Airlines.
NAN
Foreign news
Namibia Embassy Celebrates 35th Independence Anniversary in Abuja
…As Nigeria-Namibia Trade Relations Expand
By Joel Ajayi
The Namibian Mission in Nigeria recently marked the 35th Independence Anniversary of Namibia with a vibrant celebration in Abuja, marked by pomp and excitement.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency Humphrey Geiseb, High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to Nigeria, commended the resilience of every Namibian who fought for the country’s freedom and democracy.
“This day reminds us of the sacrifices made by countless Namibians who gave their lives for our freedom. As our national anthem says, ‘Their blood waters our freedom.’ Namibia’s independence on 21 March 1990 was the result of a long and tireless struggle. We continue to honor the legacy of those who fought for a free and democratic nation,” he stated.
He emphasized that this year’s celebration holds additional significance:
“A few weeks ago, Namibia witnessed the inauguration of Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the 5th President of the Republic of Namibia. This marks a historic milestone, not only for our country but for the entire SADC region, as she is the first woman to hold the highest office in the land.”
He praised the progress Namibia has made in gender representation, noting that President Ndaitwah’s administration includes a female Vice President, nine women Cabinet Ministers, and a female Speaker of Parliament.
“This shows that women occupy top leadership positions in Namibia, demonstrating that they can lead with strength, vision, and wisdom,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s role in Namibia’s independence struggle, the High Commissioner expressed deep gratitude:
“Namibia’s fight for independence would not have been successful without the unwavering support of our international friends, and Nigeria was a key partner. From the 1960s to the 1980s, Nigeria welcomed Namibians—particularly students—and supported liberation movements in Southern Africa through political, economic, diplomatic, and logistical means.”
He noted that, since independence, Namibia has enjoyed peace and political stability for 35 years without internal conflict. However, challenges such as poverty and unemployment persist. The government remains committed to improving living standards and achieving the goals of Vision 2030, aiming to solidify its high middle-income status.
Despite challenges in securing financial support due to its middle-income classification, Namibia continues to advance across multiple sectors.
Geiseb also acknowledged Nigeria’s contribution to strengthening bilateral ties.
“I want to sincerely thank the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the successful outcomes of the 5th Session of the Namibia-Nigeria Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation, held in February 2025 in Namibia.”
That session resumed official dialogue between the two nations after a 15-year hiatus and introduced new mechanisms for deepening collaboration.
Highlighting growing economic ties, the High Commissioner mentioned that two Nigerian companies—Premier Charcoal and King Charcoal—are thriving in Namibia’s charcoal industry, exporting high-quality products to the international market. Additionally, Namibia exports salt worth approximately $5–6 million annually to Nigeria.
“We look forward to further expanding our trade relations, and we hope Nigerian products will soon be available in Namibian supermarkets,” he said.
He concluded by appreciating Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire Nigerian government for their continued support in strengthening Namibia-Nigeria bilateral relations.
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