ACCRA – Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Olufemi Michael Abikoye Wednesday, paid a courtesy call on the former President of the Republic of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor at his residence at Airport-West, Accra.
He was accompanied by Minister IV and Second Secretary as part of his familiarisation visit to top present and past government officials in Ghana.
Speaking, the High Commissioner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pay the courtesy call.
He informed his host that on 15th July 2017, he arrived Ghana to assume duty as the High Commissioner, and presented his Letters of Credence to President Nana Akufo-Addo on 18th August, 2017.
Ambassador Abikoye recalled that when he served in Ghana from 1998 to 2001 as a Minister Counsellor, his first assignment was to cover the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Convention in Suyani, Brong-Ahafo Region, where former President Kufuor defeated the current President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.
The High Commissioner added that as part of his familiarisation tour in Ghana, he had so far visited five out of the ten Regions in Ghana and will soon embark on the second part of the tour, to meet top government officials as well as Nigerians living in those Regions.
He reiterated that the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana has been very cordial based on consultation, collaboration and cooperation between the Presidents of both countries, which he promised to work assiduously to deepen and ensure more cooperation.
According to the High Commissioner, President Muhammadu Buhari had tasked him to further deepen the existing relations between both countries. As a result, he acknowledged that he would need the support and wisdom of elder statesmen such as former President kufuor to achieve this feat.
The High Commissioner recalled the accomplishments of the elder statesman during his tenure as President of Ghana, particularly, the fortification of the Nigeria – Ghana bilateral relations, and expressed the desire to draw from his wealth of knowledge and experience.
Responding, former President Kufuor recalled that Nigeria and Ghana have enjoyed symbiotic cordial relations over the years. He also recalled his personal relationship with former Presidents and Heads of State of Nigeria, with particular reference to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who assisted in restoring gas supply from Nigeria to Ghana when Ghana could not fulfil its obligations.
He also stated that Nigeria has always extended its support to Ghana, and expressed hope that the High Commissioner in his capacity would foster and deepen these relations. He recalled that Nigeria and Ghana are the strength of ECOWAS and must therefore work together to see to the success of the Community by pursuing its objectives, such as the common market and currency among others. Concluding, former President Kufuor informed the High Commissioner that his door is always open to him.
The High Commissioner once again expressed gratitude to former President Kufuor for the opportunity to pay the courtesy call despite his busy schedule. He concluded by accepting the offer to call on the former President from time to time.
Ambassador Abikoye presented a gift to former President Kufuor and a photograph session was conducted.
