Osinbajo seeks closer cooperation among African leaders

• Receives Liberian Counterpart in Aso Rock

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday called on African nations to work together towards developing their economies for the benefit of their people.

He spoke while receiving the visiting Vice President of Liberia, Mr. Joseph Nyumah Boakai in his office at the Presidential Villa.

Osinbajo, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said: “We have to help ourselves first before others come, we should look for ways we can benefit each other.”

He observed that there are Nigerian business people that can invest in Liberia, suggesting the creation of a bilateral economic council that can bring business interests from both countries together.

“We must engender stronger relationships between our countries, that is what Africans need,” the Nigerian Vice President stated.

Nigeria and Liberia, he said, need to work together to develop their economies.

He said that the important task for African governments is to create enabling environments for agricultural and industrial development, noting that the  people depend on what government can do for them.

In his own remarks, Vice President Boakai of Liberia commended Nigeria.

He said: “Nigeria remains a very important big brother to Liberia. You have made a lot of sacrifices to our country, including through ECOMOG and the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL.”

He also said that Nigerian businesses are helping the West Africa country in sectors like aviation, banking, insurance and investments.

According to him, there are also teachers and doctors from Nigeria who are currently helping to set up schools and health infrastructure in Liberia.

He said: “We are grateful to our brothers and sisters here. We want this relationship to go on, this is the way Africans should go.”

The Liberian Vice President is in the country to participate in a public lecture.