FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – In a bid to consolidate on the relationship existing between Nigeria and Angola, the Governor of Bengo Province, Dr. Maria Antonia Nelumba, is in Lafia on a two-day working visit to Nasarawa State.
This visit, is a direct follow-up to the journey made by Governor Abdullahi Sule, to Angola in September of this year.
Dr. Nelumba was accompanied by the Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, José Bamóquina Zau, who serves as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, representing Angola to Nigeria, Benin, Niger, and ECOWAS, and a team of officials from her province.
While welcoming his colleague from the Province of Bengo, Governor Sule expressed appreciation for her visit, noting that she was returning the visit he made to Bengo Province just a few months ago.
The Governor also thanked the Angolan Ambassador for his hard work in making the growing relationship between the two regions a reality.
He traced the genesis of the visit to a wider bilateral agreement signed between the Presidents of Nigeria and Angola, aimed at building economic development between the two nations.
Governor Sule recalled the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Angola, which dates back fifty years to Angola’s fight for independence, a struggle where Nigeria was a steadfast supporter.
He used the opportunity of the reception at the Lafia Government House to highlight the shared commonalities between Nigeria and Angola.
Governor Sule said the Province of Bengo share several things in common with Nasarawa State, even their proximity to their countries capitals, Abuja and Luanda, and in areas such as agriculture, and mineral resources.
He recalled that during his September visit to Angola, his delegation inspected sites focused on vegetable farming, mineral development, marble processing, and health facilities, recording clear opportunities for partnership in housing and healthcare.
Governor Sule explained that even the upgrade of the specialist hospital now relocated to Akwanga into a trauma centre was motivated by the visit to the Province of Bengo.
He pointed out the visit is designed to turn those discussions into action.
Governor Sule outlined a timeline of activities while the Governor of the Province of Bengo is in the state, to include further technical discussions between officials to review and confirm the details of a planned bilateral agreement, a courtesy visit to the Emir of Lafia by the Angolan delegation and a state banquet in their honour.
On the second day of the visit, the two governors will formally sign a cooperation agreement, underscoring the practical focus of their partnership, particularly in agriculture, solid minerals and health.
As part of the schedule for the second day, Dr. Nelumba, will officially launch the NASACO rice produced from the state-owned farm in Jangwa.
She will also commission the brand new one megawatt solar mini-grid at the recently commissioned state secretariat complex.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Governor Maria Antonia Nelumba expressed deep appreciation for the generous reception. emphasizing the importance of the moment for both Bengo Province and Nasarawa State.
She echoed the historical significance, recalling that Nigeria was the first country to stand with Angola during its fight for independence, a bond immortalized by an avenue in Angola named after the late Nigerian leader General Murtala Muhammad.
Dr. Nelumba stated that this historical relationship is a powerful reason to foster new cooperation.
Her visit, she made clear, is to celebrate and solidify a very important agreement and to discuss concrete areas of collaboration that will benefit the people of both regions.
Signed
ARI, LIMAN AMINU.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
