Jonathan urges African oil producers to cooperate against falling prices

 

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday canvassed for greater cooperation among oil producing countries to overcome the current challenge of falling crude oil prices.

He spoke at the Presidential Villa when he received Angola’s new Ambassador to Nigeria, Eustaquio Janeiero Quibato.

The President said such closer collaboration is particularly needed among African oil producing countries as they need to strategise on the best way of protecting their domestic economies from the vagaries of fluctuating oil prices.


According to him: “We are blessed with oil and we must continue to do all that we possibly can to maximise its benefits for our countries and the African continent”.

Noting that Nigeria and Angola have always had cordial bilateral relations, he called for the expansion of trade, economic, cultural and political cooperation between the two countries.

“For years, we have had a solid relationship. Historically, we have been together. So Nigeria and Angola should also work with greater synergy at continental and global forums”, he stated.

At another audience with Hungary’s new Ambassador to Nigeria, Ternak Gabor, the President called for greater international support and assistance for West African countries that continue to be plagued by the Ebola Virus Disease.

Jonathan also received Letters of Credence from the new ambassador of Burundi, Mathias Haranungarawe, and the new ambassador of Serbia, Jovan Maric.

He wished all the new ambassadors very successful tenures in Nigeria and assured them that they would receive the full cooperation of the Federal Government as they work to enhance bilateral relations between their countries and Nigeria.