President Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigeria would support the efforts for the development of the Pan African Parliament, in order to strengthen economic cooperation and democracy in the continent.
President Jonathan was speaking to Hon. Bethel Amadi, newly-elected president of the Pan African Parliament, at State House, Friday.
‘Nigeria will support all efforts to strengthen the Pan African Parliament’, he said, adding that African countries need to engage more in trade and communication within the continent.
President Jonathan welcomed the Pan African Parliament’s commitment to improving intra-African trade, in order to create more jobs for the youth and improve lives.
The President expressed appreciation to African leaders who supported Hon. Amadi’s election.
Earlier, the new president of the Pan African Parliament said he would focus on economic development of the continent, especially intra-African trade.
He said ‘intra-African trade stood at 10% last year; this is too low to positively impact on youth employment’.
Hon. Amadi thanked President Jonathan for supporting his election.
Hon. Amadi delegation to State House included Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, Leader of the Nigerian Senate.
At a separate audience, President Jonathan thanked the outgoing Swedish ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Perl Lingarde, for raising awareness about Nigeria’s potentials through trade delegations that visited the country during his tenure.
The President urged companies in Sweden to establish factories in Nigeria, in order to take advantage of the large market in Nigeria and West Africa.
The outgoing Swedish ambassador said he focused on improving cooperation in the power, environment, water and mining sectors, adding that he enjoyed his four-year tenure in Nigeria.