London – Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday prayed for peace, progress and security during the forthcoming elections in Nigeria.

The pontiff gave his blessings when he granted audience to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Martins Uhomoibhi on Wednesday at the Vatican.

According to a statement from the Nigeria’s Embassy in Rome, made available to the Europe Correspondent of News Agency of Nigeria in London, Uhomoibhi also delivered a special message from President Goodluck Jonathan to the Pope.

The statement, signed by Mr Femi Rotimi, said the Permanent Secretary also held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Mr Giampiero Massolo.

According to the statement, Uhomoibhi urged Italian government, to send election monitors for the April polls.

He reiterated President Jonathan’s commitment to a free, fair and credible elections where every vote would count.

The statement further said that the Nigerian government sought collaboration in the area of training of young Nigerian diplomats in the control of proliferation of small and light weapons in West Africa.

Other areas collaboration that were sought included investment in the agriculture, industry and tourism.

The statement also quoted Massolo in his response as affirming that Italy’s enduring relationship with Africa was based on healthy partnership and not patronising cooperation.

Massolo said the Italian government was committed to `more active’ collaboration with Nigeria.

“We look forward to more active collaboration in multilateral fora like the G8, G20 to address the challenges of globalisation including transnational crimes, migration, human rights and socio-economic development,’’ the statement quotes him as saying. (NAN)