By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA—President Mohammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria would appreciate international assistance in ongoing efforts to diversify the economy. The President also warned Sudan and Southern Sudan to guard against running mono- economies which, he said, was the challenge facing Nigeria today as it depended solely on oil.

In a farewell meeting with the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Sweden to Nigeria, Mr. Svante Kilander, in the State House yesterday, President Buhari said the Federal Government would create the enabling environment for local and foreign investments in farming, animal husbandry, fishery and the exploration of solid minerals.

The President said a planned visit by some Swedish trade and investment delegations to the country later in the year would further encourage the ongoing process of diversifying the Nigerian economy. He commended the Swedish government for the support extended to Nigeria in catering for the needs of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the North East and the ongoing reconstruction of the areas affected by terrorist attacks.

In his remarks, the Swedish Ambassador said his country was pleased with the efforts made by the present government to win the fight against terrorism and corruption. Kilander said his country would continue to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria by encouraging more trade and investments between both countries.

Also at separate meetings where he received special envoys from President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan and President Al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan President Buhari advised the two countries to avoid falling into trap of  a mono-cultural economy as Nigeria by diversifying their economies early.

The President also advised the two countries to be more vigilant on security by stemming recruitment of young people by terrorist groups. He said Nigeria would continue to support the transitional government that had been put in place in South Sudan

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, stated that the leader of the South Sudan delegation, who is also Senior Presidential Adviser on Peace, Mr. Nhial Deng Nhial, and the leader of the Sudanese delegation, Ismail Abdul-Raheem, who is the State Minister, Foreign Affairs, assured President Buhari of their commitment to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria. Both envoys commended Nigeria for the leadership role it had played to ensure peace and stability in their countries.