Akwa Ibom Gov. Godswill Akpabio said on Thursday that the state would like to collaborate with Equitorial Guinea on foreign language learning using its e-library facilities.
Akpabio said this in Uyo when the Nigerian Ambassador to Equitorial Guinea, Mr Benjamin Bassey, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Ibom e-library, constructed by the Akpabio administration, was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on June 25.
The e-library has digital collections of over 16.5 million e-documents, comprising two million books and 14.5 million e-journal articles that could be downloaded without restriction.
“The e-library needs economic cooperation. There are facilities in the centre for people to learn foreign languages. I want you to explore cooperation with Equitorial Guinea in this area,” Akpabio said.
He said that Equitorial Guinea and Akwa Ibom had crude oil deposits and called for economic cooperation of the two parties.
Akpabio congratulated the Ambassador, who is an indigene of Akwa Ibom, on his merited appointment, adding that President Jonathan had made the state proud by such appointment.
He said that Bassey was a good ambassador to the state when he served as Chief Protocol Officer in the State House, Abuja, and advised him to protect the image of the country and Akwa Ibom.
Earlier, Bassey commended the governor for meeting the expectations of Akwa Ibom people and giving them a proper identity among the states in Nigeria.
“I am overwhelmed by what I am seeing in the state. The infrastructure are amazing. Your free, compulsory education is helpful.
“You may not see the benefits of the education now, but in the next 10 years, the benefits would rub off on all areas of human endeavour.”
Bassey called for proper implementation of the free education policy of the state to protect and preserve for posterity the infrastructure provided by the present administration. (NAN)