Nigeria seeks better ties with Australia

The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, has canvassed a better relationship between Nigeria and Australia.

He stated this, yesterday, when he hosted the Australian High Commissioner, Mr. John Donnelly and his wife at the Institute in Lagos.

The NIIA director-general explained that since 2012, nothing concrete has happened between Nigeria and Australia, adding that it is good the ambassador paid a visit at the time the NIIA is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

He further said since Nigeria and Australia are both in the Commonwealth of Nations, it behoves the two nations to be sisters, especially since the Commonwealth is back after the BREXIT.

The DG also told Donnelly that the NIIA has a platform for ambassadors, diplomats and country’s representatives called the ‘Ambassadorial Forum’, which holds once in a month.

Osaghae then asked Donnelly if he would be NIIA’s guest on September 27, 2021, an offer the ambassador gladly accepted.

Besides, the NIIA Acting Director of Library and Documentation Services, Mrs. Pamela Momah, told the Ambassador that she looks forward to the library having relationship with Australian Institute of International Affairs as the NIIA has robust relationship with Chatham House where they exchange ideas, library skills, reference materials and visits.

In his response, the Australian Ambassador reiterated his commitment and welcomed collaborations between the two countries.

Wife of the Ambassador, Mrs. Donnelly, an Indian national, appreciated Nigeria and said she looks forward to more collaboration between Australia and the giant of Africa.

The DG mentioned that many Nigerians live in Australia because it is extremely safe, multicultural and a multilingual country with a strong indigenous heritage. The ambassador’s wife also mentioned that a lot of Nigerians in Australia are in the IT sector.