Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Product Standardization and Letter of Intent to conclude agreements on a number of diplomatic issues on Customs Cooperation, Prisoner Transfer, Renewable Energy and Visa Issues.
The personal assistant to the vice president on media, Laolu Akande stated this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.
Akande said the Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Aishat Abubakar for Nigeria and India’s Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal signed for his country.
He stated that Letter of Intent is expected to be signed by the Nigerian Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian Ambassador to Nigeria.
He said: “For the Letter of Intent, the Indian Ambassador Mr. B.N. Reddy signed for his country, while the Permanent Secretary, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mr. Sola Enikanolaye signed for Nigeria.”
“Several ministers from the Nigerian Federal Executive Council attended the bilateral meeting alongside the Indian delegation that included Members of Parliament.”
In as related development, Vice President Yomi Osinbajo has assured that Nigeria and India would be reactivating the Nigeria-India Joint Commission earlier set up to foster deepened relationship and expanded economic interaction between the two countries.
Vice President Yomi Osinbajo made this known during bilateral meeting with the visiting Vice President of India Hamid Ansari yesterday at the Presidential Villa.
Akande quoted the Vice President as saying that “the Nigeria-India Joint Commission which was first set up in 1979, and was revived during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration met last about 5 years ago”.
Prof. Osinbajo added that “the Commission provides a veritable way forward to work out the different areas of collaboration discussed at the close-door bilateral talks.
“Issued discussed ranged from economic relations, peace and security, consular matters and regional & international issues.”
He urge that “both countries should also focus on the outcome of the 3rd India-Africa Summit held last year”, noting that doing so “will take an active part in the elaboration of the Programme of Action.”
He also called for the setting up of a Joint Implementation Committee to pursue the commitments of that summit.
He acknowledged the progress India has made in science and technology especially on space research.
He also reiterated the readiness of Nigeria to play more “active role in the evolution of the International Solar Alliance launched by the Indian Government last year with a view to benefiting from its operations for Nigeria’s own quest for alternative sources of energy”.
While speaking, the Vice President of India Hamid Ansari said“Joint Commission should be reactivated within the shortest possible time,”
V.p Ansari congratulated Nigeria on the conduct of 2015 general election noting that that the election was free and fair.
He said: “Nigerian people deserve praise for coming out to vote and ensuring that democratic values take root in Nigeria.”
He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for decimating Boko Haram insurgency stating that “the Nigerian government was taking steps to minimize the impact of the challenges”.