BY VICTORIA OJEME

ABUJA-The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recounted the gains the country made at the recently-concluded Commonwealth Heads of States and Government (CHOGM), in Perth, Australia.

At a briefing, weekend, the ministry’s spokesman, Mr. Ogbole  Ode, said Nigeria’s leadership role in peacekeeping in West Africa and Africa was recognized, with Australia expressing readiness to work closely with Nigeria in further peacekeeping missions.

President Goodluck Jonathan combined 2011 CHOGM with an official visit to Australia where he launched the Australia-Nigeria Trade and Investment Council.

Nigeria is currently Australia’s second largest trading partner in Africa with six Australian firms’ active in Nigeria’s mining industry.

Ode said the launch of the trade council was a testimony to Nigeria’s rising economic profile as an emerging market.

Nigeria went to CHOGM with 120-man delegation, one of the largest at the event. This was criticized by many as too large a delegation given the financial straits Nigeria is passing through.

Also, Nigeria led debates on the reforms of the Commonwealth arguing for the strengthening of mechanisms within the organization for the monitoring of adherence to its fundamental principles.