Presidential Research & Communications Unit

Three new ambassadors and one high commissioner presented their letters of credence to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua during separate ceremonies at State House, Friday August 8.

They are Mr. Mustafa Aykut Sezgin of Turkey, Mr. Mouftaou Laleye of Benin Republic, Mr. Khaled Bin Omar Abdrabu of Saudi Arabia and Mr. Mahesh Kumar Sachdev of India.

President Yar’Adua welcomed the support offered by Turkey towards attaining Nigeria’s target of becoming one of the twenty most industrialised nations by 2020, adding that Turkey’s achievements in becoming the 17th largest economy in six years was commendable.

He assured the Beninois ambassador that the two neighbours would continue to share excellent relations, while assuring the Saudi ambassador that Nigeria wanted even closer economic, cultural and social relations.

The President thanked India for that country’s tremendous contributions to Nigeria’s educational development, and urged the new high commissioner to partner with Nigeria towards still more cooperation.

The new Turkish ambassador said Nigeria’s objective of 20-2020 was attainable, because Turkey had done it in six years, and now had annual exports of over $300billion, suggesting a change in the laws as a first step.

Mr. Laleye of Benin assured President Yar’Adua of President Boni Yayi’s appreciation for all Nigeria’s help, while Mr. Sachdev of India offered his country’s assistance in the development of human capacity, especially in information technology. Mr. Abdrabu of Saudi Arabia shared his country’s desire for even warmer relations with Nigeria.