By Lizzy Chirkpi
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with São Tomé and Príncipe, with a focus on maritime security, the Joint Development Zone (JDZ), trade and investment.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, MON, stated this on Tuesday while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of São Tomé and Príncipe’s President, Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, for his second five-year term in office.
Vila Nova was re-elected with 55.88 per cent of the votes in the first round of the presidential election held on July 19.
Delivering Tinubu’s congratulatory message to the São Toméan leader, Matawalle said Nigeria valued its longstanding friendship with the island nation and was committed to deepening bilateral cooperation.
In the letter presented to Vila Nova, Tinubu congratulated him on his re-election, saying the outcome reflected the confidence of the São Toméan people in his leadership.
“Your victory reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Nigeria commends the Government, the National Electoral Commission, Political Parties, and the people of São Tomé and Príncipe for conducting a peaceful, credible, and transparent election, which will further strengthen the democratic institutions in your country,” Tinubu said.
The President said Nigeria was particularly interested in expanding cooperation in maritime security, the Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Zone, trade and investment, as well as other areas of mutual interest.
“Nigeria values the longstanding friendship between our two countries. I therefore look forward to deepening cooperation in maritime security, the Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe (JDZ), trade and investment, and other areas of mutual interest,” he said.
Matawalle also congratulated Vila Nova on his re-election and inauguration, assuring him of Nigeria’s readiness to strengthen relations with São Tomé and Príncipe.
He said the longstanding ties between the two countries would provide a strong foundation for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of shared interest.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the São Tomé and Príncipe Parliament Building, attracted several African and European leaders and other dignitaries.
Those in attendance included the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso; President of Gabon, Brice Oligui Nguema; Prime Minister of Mozambique, Maria Benvinda Levy; Angola’s Foreign Minister and representative of President João Lourenço, Téte António; and Morocco’s Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch.
Also present were Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, former presidents of São Tomé and Príncipe, and the country’s Prime Minister, Américo Ramos.
The Ministry of Defence said Matawalle’s participation in the inauguration underscored the historic ties of friendship, fraternity, solidarity and cooperation that have continued to shape relations between Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe.