By EMEKA MAMAH

LAGOS—Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo has called for increased bilateral ties between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire especially in the economic sector as both countries are strategic partners and pillars of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

Sambo spoke, yesterday, at a dinner organized in his honour by the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire,  Kablan Duncan in Abidjan, the Ivorian capital
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Alhaji Umar Sani.

According to Sani, Sambo said that although cooperation between the two countries had been strong, there was room for improvement particularly in the areas of energy, oil and gas.

“We should avail ourselves of the enormous potentials in our various spheres for the common goods and aspirations of our teeming population. It is for this reason that I consider my visit to your country as another opportunity to use our warm and cordial relations to further improve the well-being of our people,” Sambo added.

He however, expressed his satisfaction on the peace process in the host country urging the Ivorians to remain committed to the peace initiative of their government assuring them of Nigeria’s continued support in ensuring the unity, and stability of the country.
“Nigeria will continue to support the reconstruction and development of Cote d’Ivoire,” he assured.

Sambo also said that the Federal Government would remain committed to ensuring the realization of the international highway that would connect Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire in partnership with the private sector.
“It is gladdening to note that Nigeria’s businessmen are being allocated some oil blocks to explore in Cote d’Ivoire. I want to assure you that we will continue to partner in all areas needed for the development of Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria. Africa’s problems must be solved by Africans,” he further noted.

Earlier, the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Kablan had expressed gratitude to Nigeria for helping solve the Ivorian post-electoral crisis, with her initiatives towards the restoration of peace in the West African-sub-region.

He said that Nigeria remained a key global partner to Cote D’Ivoire accounting for 24 percent of the country’s imports.
“In this context, this partnership must allow us to pull our efforts to address the challenge of development in order to ensure the well-being of our people, particularly in terms of job creation, infrastructure and poverty alleviation,” Kablan added.