BY DANIEL IDONOR

ABUJA-President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the strengthening of the historical relations between Nigeria and Britain for the mutual benefit of the countries.

Speaking at a meeting with a British business delegation led by the Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Michael Bear, the President said the countries must make greater efforts to continually renew their long-standing relationship and make it more functional.

Welcoming the Mayor, who was in the country with a delegation of British investors and businessmen to follow up on bilateral agreements concluded during Prime Minister David Cameron’s recent visit to enhance economic cooperation between Nigeria and Britain, Jonathan said the Prime Minister’s visit had been “very significant and fruitful.”

The President invited British investors to take advantage of his administration’s efforts to diversify the Nigerian economy and create greater employment opportunities for its youthful population, saying that more sectors of the economy previously run exclusively by government were being opened up for private sector participation.

He said: “A high population of unemployed youth could be dangerous anywhere in the world. We are therefore working very hard to create more jobs by expanding our economic base through increased investment in infrastructure, manufacturing and commercial large-scale agriculture.”

The Mayor told the President that he was in Nigeria with his delegation to pursue the realization of the agreements reached during Mr. Cameron’s visit to double bilateral trade between Nigeria and Britain in the shortest possible time.

He said: “We are here to move things forward. We have confidence in your reform programme and are willing to help you in any way that we can.”

Meanwhile, President Jonathan has applauded the traditional rulers and people of Adamawa State for their support to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during April’s general elections.

Speaking at an audience with the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha and members of the Adamawa Emirate Council Wednesday, the President said he greatly appreciated the support of the Lamido, members of the emirate council and people of Adamawa which gave him and PDP victory in the state.

“We could not have won in Adamawa if you and your people did not support us,” the President told the delegation while expressing his gratitude to them.

The Lamido and members of his council were at the Presidential Villa to thank President Jonathan for approving their request that the Federal University of Technology, Yola be renamed Modibbo Adamawa University in honour of the founder of the Adamawa Emirate.

Acknowledging their appreciation, President Jonathan said he and the Federal Government had only done what was right in acceding to their request.

“We had to do what is right. Honour should be given to whom honour is due. Those who have made history deserve to be immortalized. That is what we have done,” he said.

The Lamido thanked President Jonathan and his Administration for “identifying with the yearnings of the people of Adamawa”.

He pledged his people’s continued support for the Jonathan’s Administration.