Cameroon-Nigeria fruitful economic cooperation lauded

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Cameroon, Hadiza Mustapha says economic cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon is doing well and there is room for it to do better.

She expressed optimism that the planned Cameroon-Nigeria Business Forum to take place in the Nigerian capital, Abuja will further consolidate economic ties.

She equally saluted the growing interest of Nigerian investors in Cameroon, citing the recent inauguration of the Dangote Cement Company in Douala and disclosed plans to extend company’s plant to Yaounde.

Hadiza Mustapha made the declaration in Yaounde on October 1, 2015 during celebrations marking 55 years of Nigeria’s independence. The highly animated event with Nigerian music was attended by many cabinet ministers with the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of Relations with the Commonwealth, Joseph Dion Ngute as delegation leader.

Besides members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Nigerian community in Cameroon, the Nigerian Female Basketball team that came to participate in the AFROBASKET competition in Yaounde was also present.

The Nigerian diplomat used the occasion to laud the excellent bilateral relations whose hallmark was President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Cameroon on July 29 to 30, 2015, during which cooperation agreements were signed in several domains.

She remained grateful to Cameroonian authorities and people for the warm reception given President Buhari and said Nigerians were looking forward to receive President Biya in Abuja.

Hadiza Mustapha while stating successes the Nigerian government has scored in the war against the militant group Boko Haram, called for greater international cooperation to eradicate the insurgents.

Celebrations marking Nigeria’s 55th Day of Independence, the High Commission said, came within a special context. It came after successful peaceful elections in which President Buhari won, his visit to Cameroon, and the commitment of Nigerians to democracy and new political dispensation to bring peace, change and development.

She assured Nigerians resident in Cameroon of the High Commission’s determination to facilitate their stay and called on them to be law-abiding.

Hadiza Mustapha used the celebrations to thank the Cameroon government, UN agencies and other international organizations for the assistance given Nigerian refugees, especially in the Far North Region.