LAGOS IS OUR OLD TIME FRIEND’ — UK FOREIGN SECRETARY TELLS SANWO-OLU
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The British Foreign Secretary, Mr. David Lammy, paid Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu a courtesy call at State House in Marina on Monday, only hours after the British ambassador landed in Nigeria for his maiden tour to Africa to discuss the UK’s new strategy for the continent.
In light of the centuries-old ties between the two nations, Lammy, who was joined by Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, and his deputy, Jonny Baxter, stated that Lagos was his first stop on his Africa tour.
Lagos had many families with relatives in London and other parts of the UK, the Foreign Secretary said, adding that the socio-cultural and economic ties between the UK and Nigeria were unmatched. The ambassador claimed that the cooperation in commerce, remittances, and finance had further enhanced the two countries’ interactions.
According to Lammy, the purpose of his visit was to strengthen the two nations’ bilateral connections and foster understanding between them, which would open up additional doors for prosperous trade partnerships on both sides.
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He said: “My first port of call in my visit to the continent of Africa is Lagos, which is naturally a bustling economic hub not just for Nigeria but also West Africa. What I have been experiencing since my arrival in Lagos is dynamism, vibrancy and huge opportunities that exist in this great city. These values befit our approach to the continent, which rests on mutual growth of our economies.
“We have seen how the Red Line is increasing transportation options in Lagos and it is pleasing to see UK manufacturers as being part of this transportation growth in Lagos. We want to see more of mutual cooperation in this sector. There is more we can do in several other areas. I am here to say the UK is very much open for more business with our old friends, and I dare say Lagos represents the old friendship. There is a win-win for our businesses and our societies.”
According to Lammy, the UK is eager to work with Lagos to increase the use of clean energy, as this will help the city better adapt to climate change.
The Foreign Secretary considered a possible agreement with two UK businesses that are prepared to make investments in clean and renewable energy in Lagos.
The State’s growth plan was in line with the new UK’s trade strategy, Sanwo-Olu told the visiting British envoy, adding that Lagos had a sizable population of vibrant and creative youth who were eager for new chances in a variety of fields.
He claimed that in order to help young people develop their abilities and make their skills profitable in the current economic system, the State Government has consistently invested in knowledge-based training possibilities.
According to the governor, the goal of this plan is to establish Lagos as the continent’s hub for human development, where investors can locate qualified experts with the necessary abilities in any industry.
Sanwo-Olu discussed economic prospects in waste management that are just waiting to be seized, emphasising that Lagos deals with more than 10,000 metric tonnes of rubbish every day, which may be used as raw materials by businesses that turn waste into clean energy.
He said: “We want you to go back home with the level of confidence that Lagos is a place to put investment and we will continue to make this environment a lot more attractive to businesses that are looking forward to more growth and opportunities.”
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