Vice-President Kashim Shettima has affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties with the Republic of Congo.
Shettima made the commitment when he received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo, Anatole Makosso, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
News Men report that the ice president received the Congolese delegation on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
He acknowledged the leadership of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso in promoting regional peace and stability, especially across Africa’s Great Lakes region.
He also said that Nigeria would consider Congo’s request for support in its bid to lead the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
“Nigeria commends the leadership of the Congolese President and we are committed to strengthening bilateral ties.
“President Denis Sassou-Nguesso is one of the greatest stabilisers on the African continent.
“He is well-respected and has the experience and exposure to provide leadership to a turbulent region. Your country is a beacon of hope and stability in the region,” he said.
He said the issues raised by the visiting Prime Minister, particularly the request for Nigeria’s endorsement of Firmin Edouard Matoko for the post of UNESCO Director-General, would be conveyed to Tinubu.
“Be rest assured that all the issues raised, especially over your candidature for the Director-Generalship of UNESCO, will be conveyed to the President.
“And I am hopeful that he is going to endorse your candidacy, fundamentally because what binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. Wherever we go, we are essentially one people,” he said.
Earlier, the Congolese Prime Minister, delivered a special message from President Sassou-Nguesso to President Tinubu.
He called for deepened relations between both countries and sought Nigeria’s support for Matoko, a long-serving UNESCO official with over three decades of experience.
“We have a candidate for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, Firmin Edouard Matoko, a seasoned diplomat and former senior official of the organisation with over three decades of experience,” Makosso said.
He explained that Matoko joined UNESCO in 1990 and served in several strategic roles, including Director of multiple regional offices, Director of the Africa Department, and ultimately as Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations.
Makosso noted that Congo’s interest in Matoko’s candidacy was not merely national but based on competence.
“We are seeking Nigeria’s support for his candidature not because he is a Congolese, but because he is well qualified for the position, especially at this time that UNESCO needs a very experienced person,” he said.
The Prime Minister also thanked the Nigerian government and its people for their humanitarian support to Congolese children who benefited from the Rochas Foundation.
He noted that some of the children, many of whom were orphans, have graduated, while others remained in school.
“We also want to thank the good people of Nigeria for taking care of some young children from Congo, some of them orphans who were offered free education by the Rochas Foundation.
“Some of them just graduated, while some are still in school. We are very grateful for that,” Makosso said.
The prime minister commended President Tinubu’s leadership at ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations.
He also expressed sympathy with Nigerians over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
