On the invitation of the Algerian government, Nigeria’s Vice President
Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, would be visiting the North Afican country on a 2-day
official visit from tomorrow Tuesday December 13.
During the visit, Prof. Osinbajo who would be received by the Algerian
Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, will hold talks with the Algerian
President Abdellaziz Bouteflika and also interact with members of the
Upper and lower chambers of the Algerian legislature.
The visit would explore the deepening of diplomatic and economic relations
between Nigeria and Algeria while also reviewing specific areas of
security cooperration. Equally both countries would also use the
opportunity to harmonize their positions on multilateral issues of common
interest, and sharing ideas on how to address a number of international
challenges especially those confronting Africa.
It would be recalled that earlier in the year in August, the Algerian
President sent a Special Envoy to Nigeria, in person of the country’s
Foreign Affairs Minister Ramtane Lamamra. The Special Envoy was then
received in audience on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, by Vice
President Osinbajo. The Special Envoy reiterated Algeria’s support for
Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, calling for increased collaboration
between both countries in the areas of intelligence gathering and
deradicalisation programmes.
In 2002, both countries set up the Nigeria-Algeria Bi-National Commision
to enhance bilateral cooperation, and signed a number of Agreements and
Memoranda of Understanding including those related to the creation of the
‘Development Corridor’, with such projects as the Trans-Saharan Gas
Pipeline Project, the Trans-Sahara Highway Project and the Trans-Saharan
Fiber Optic Project.
While in Algeria, Prof. Osinbajo will also visit a food processing plant
and also meet representatives of the Nigerian community. The Vice
President who is accompanied on the visit by the Foreign Affairs Minister
of State Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the
President, Mr. Ade Ipaye, is expected back on Wednesday December 14.