KINGSLEY OMONOBI
Defence minister,Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, Friday, said  that the strengthening of bilateral agreements and the recent establishment of a Chamber of Commerce between Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago, dedicated to promoting economic ties between both countries in a range of sectors including energy, education has created strong and good relations between the two countries.

Making the disclosure at the inauguration of Course 20 participants of the National defence College, Abuja , the minister who was represented by Mr. Abiodun Salami, Director of Navy at MOD, said, “For the defence sector, there has been several friendly exchanges and visits between the two countries.

In 2005 and 2009, delegations from the National Defence College visited Trinidad and Tobago on sturdy tour, which helped to increase the relationship between the defence and security sectors of both countries”.

Recalling that the AU Consultative Act declares that it shall ‘invite and encourage the full participation of Africa in Diaspora as an important part of our continent in the building of the African Union , Dr. Bello said, “For us in Nigeria, we have stayed true to this vision by continually maintaining our foreign policy thrust of Africa being the centre piece of our foreign policy, and by that, it also implies Africans in Diaspora.

“In this regard, Trinidad and Tobago is one of the Caribbean nations we have developed close ties with. We both share a lot in common, ranging from our close cultural and historical ties, to oil and gas resources.”

Trinidad and Tobago is a nation that Nigeria has come to identify as a close ally in the Caribbean ’s.

Earlier, minister of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago, Brig-General John Sandy who delivered the inaugural lecture, disclosed that the advent of the internet, globalization, terrorism and increased crime and violence, were new security challenges confronting not only Nigeria but the rest of the world particularly the Caribbean nations.

Speaking on the topic ‘Relations between the Caribbean and Africa with reference to Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria relations’, the minister said, “For the past 49 years of our independence, Trinidad and Tobago has experienced an evolution predicated on an ever changing national security environment, which itself is informed by the global security landscape”.

“In this regard, the Trinidad and Tobago defence force continues to re-engineer itself, transforming to meet not just our national demands of the present, but indeed, developing strategically to meet the challenges of the future. This is why the Trinidad and Tobago defence force is regarded as a professional, versatile, ready and resilient force”, he said.

Continuing he said, “Transnational threats such as human trafficking and trafficking in illegal drugs, arms and ammunition continue to threaten the peace and stability of our shores as they also threaten countries worldwide. Border security, energy security, and critical national infrastructure security, are now more prominent aspects of our national landscape”.