Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday described Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea as important partners in the Africa continent who share many things in common, especially in the oil and gas sector.
He made the observation in Malabo, the capital of the Central African nation during the inauguration of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo for a renewed term of seven years.
A statement issued by Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Adviser to the vice president on Media and Publicity, said that Osinbajo represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the ceremony.
According to Osinbajo, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are “important partners in very many ways and, also share many things in common including, as you can see, in oil and gas.”
Commenting on the ceremony which was attended by several African leaders and many other world leaders, the vice president observed that Africans’ keen sense of unity is often on parade at such events, noting that the relationship among African nations “is very cordial and very close.’’
With no fewer than 20 African and other world leaders gracing the event, Osinbajo noted that the representation of leaders was an eloquent testimony of the unity among African states.
“The representation of leaders all over the world is very epochal; it shows how we are closely related.
“African countries are very closely united and this is a show of solidarity,” he stated.
In his inaugural speech, President Mbasogo, appreciated the visiting leaders and their show of solidarity and expressed support for the efforts of African nations in the fight against terrorism.
Mbasogo, specifically congratulated Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Somalia, Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, adding that such groups as Boko Haram, the Al-Shabab and the militant group in Niger Delta threatened the stability of their countries.