The High Commissioner of Tanzania to Nigeria, Benson Bana, has prayed for deeper ties between Tanzania and Nigeria, as the two countries clocked 60 years in diplomatic relations.

Mr Bana prayed in Abuja at the Interfaith Prayers organised by the high commission to commemorate Tanzania’s 60th anniversary.

“Nation-building is not an easy task, particularly in Africa. Tanzania is a nation-state that has so far not experienced internal conflicts. We are here today (Sunday) to thank the almighty Allah for enabling Tanzania to preserve its value for freedom, unity, peace, security, development and common language, Kiswahili, our lingua franca, which has contributed towards nation-building,” said Mr Bana. “The people of Tanzania and Nigeria in the past 60 years have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations; Nigeria opened its diplomatic mission in Tanzania in 1962, while Tanzania opened its own here in 1970.”

During that period, the Tanzanian envoy disclosed that the two countries shared ideas, especially on the international scene, including the UN, OAU now AU, the Commonwealth of Nations and other international organisations and fora.

“Our thanksgiving through the interfaith prayers is intended for the almighty God to sustain diplomatic relations among Nigerians and Tanzanians; we pray almighty Allah takes the bilateral ties to greater heights,” the high commissioner added.

He also prayed for divine intervention to enable Nigeria to overcome its security challenges, noting that the interfaith prayers were intended to achieve several things.

He expressed gratitude to God for enabling Tanzania to survive 60 years as a sovereign nation, with 120 tribes and ethnic groups.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, congratulated the government and people of Tanzania on the celebration.

Ms Tallen, the keynote speaker at the event, noted that Tanzania and Nigeria were sister countries that went through struggles of independence about the same time.

According to her, Nigeria succeeded to gain independence one year ahead of Tanzania, saying, “We thank God for great leaders, such as the late Julius Nyerere and the late President John Magufuli.”

Continuing, Ms Tallen stated, “He (Magufuli) paved the way for President Samia Suluhu Hassan to become the first female President of Tanzania. Today Tanzania stands out among all the African countries because it is the only country with a female Head of State, and I call on all Heads of African nations to stand by Hassan in prayers.”

She called on well-meaning Africans to showcase Tanzania as one of the great African countries.

“Since independence, it (Tanzania) has never experienced any military coup. As Tanzania clocks 60 years, God gave them a woman as leader. This is unique,” Ms Tallen noted.

(NAN)