Christophe Bazivamo, the Rwandan Ambassador to Nigeria, expressed readiness to establish economic and educational ties with Ogun State for the mutual benefit of both regions.
During meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ambassador Bazivamo acknowledged Ogun State’s advancements in education and industrialization, highlighting the potential for knowledge exchange, the state had achieved much in the area of education and industrialisation, a reason for which not expressed readiness to make his home country partner with the state.
He said, “I have participated in the ongoing trade organized by the state government. At the fair, I had the opportunity to interact with the governor, and I am here in his office to share what we are doing back home and learn from the governor’s development strides. “I am also here to find out how we can move forward together because my country believes in cooperation, and we know that Ogun State is doing well in industry, education, and other areas.
“When you are developing industry as the right choice and in the right direction, especially in a state where more than 65 to 70 per cent of the population are young people, you are creating jobs and once people are consuming locally made products, it helps grow local industries and makes jobs available for the people.”
He also mentioned Rwanda’s interest in enhancing its industrial sector to provide avenues for skill development among young people.
He further said his country was thinking in the direction of establishing and strengthening relationships with Nigerian businessmen, saying that the Rwandan Private Sector Federation was ready to go into partnership with the Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, with the purpose of trading together, exchange ideas and work on building sustainable partnership.
The ambassador revealed that Rwanda and Nigeria have already signed an agreement on the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation, but “we are waiting for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for even planning and perfection before implementation.
“I also discussed with the governor how our businessmen can collaborate and be of help to each other because this is something that can be helpful to both sides, especially our young generation.
“We believe in partnership. We also believe in the African Continental Trade Area. You cannot move alone in that direction. You need to be together with others. When you see traders wherever they are, they have innovation, and when you see what they have compared to what you have, you will wish to link together.
“What I have seen in Ogun State when it comes to industries, is that they are producing locally and I believe some people can come from Rwanda, learn from here and take the lesson back and replicate it in our country,” the ambassador stated.
