Nigeria says it will work with Angola to enhance public media cooperation and boost bilateral relations between the two countries.

Information minister Mohammed Idris said this when Jose Zau, Angolan ambassador to Nigeria, paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Idris recalled that the ministry had received a memorandum of understanding on public communication and media exchange programmes from Angola.

“We are studying that MoU. It is not stalled. You know that at some point, no minister was in place. Now that there is one, we are studying it and any area that we need to renegotiate. We will do and get back to you as soon as possible.

“Nigeria is very open to this kind of bilateral relationship, especially in terms of public communication and media exchange between the two countries. Nigeria will see what it can do between the two countries. On business, especially about your programme coming up in October, the ministry will cooperate and participate fully in it,” the minister said.

Mr Idris added that Nigeria and Angola had a long-standing relationship and similar characteristics, stressing that they are both members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

According to the Nigerian minister, the two countries are important to Africa and the entire world because of what God has given to them in the form of crude oil, which gives the greatest GDP.

“President Bola Tinubu has come with a great amount of goodwill. Within his first 100 days in office, he became the chairman of ECOWAS. He has also just returned from the G20 Summit in India, where he secured a seat for the African continent in that body. Nigeria prides itself as a big brother in Africa,” stated Mr Idris.

The minister told the visiting envoy that the Nigerian president was desirous of and passionate about ensuring that he deepens the relationship between Nigeria and sister African countries.

“You are aware of Nigeria’s stand on the African continent – very recently, the happenings in the Republic of Niger and other places in Africa. Nigeria is taking a leading role to ensure that democracy is protected in Africa. We, therefore, hope that your posting here would deepen that relationship between Nigeria and Angola,” Mr Idris explained.

(NAN)