Nigeria, Irish trade hits 270m Euro

THE Irish ambassador to Nigeria, Sean Hoy, said the trade figure between Nigeria and Ireland has hit 270 million Euro. The envoy disclosed this when he visited the Nigerian Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in Abuja. He said that both countries have always maintained a positive bilateral tie since the pre-independence era and hoped that the figure would increase in 2016 with ongoing bilateral ties between them. Ogbonnaya Onu “The trade figure between Nigeria and Ireland last year was about 270million Euro, but we are hoping that it is going to increase by the end of this year. In the trade mission we had in December, over 50m Euro contract was signed in that mission. So the relationship is going positively all the time.” Hoy who underscored the importance exploring the cordial relationship between the two countries emphasized the need to use technology for development of Nigeria. According to him, Ireland had developed a very good online education and has teachers with good online certificates who can train people here in Nigeria. “The relationship between the ministry and Ireland is that we have to look for the opportunity to use technology for the development of Nigeria. “We are able to say that we are the only English speaking country in Euro with largest concentration of ICT companies in Euro,” he added. Responding, the Minister said Nigeria would partner with Ireland on technology transfer to ensure actualization of President Buhari’s Change agenda. He said the relationship between Nigeria and Ireland has been cordial, but want it to go further in strength, adding that the ministry is working very hard to close technology gaps in the country and urged Irish companies to come into Nigeria. “We commend Irish missionaries who came to Nigeria to establish schools where many of our leaders here benefited from. “It is good that we should talk about emphasis you place on education with good technology which helped you fight and defeat poverty. This is exactly what we want to do here. The administration of President Muhammad Buhari is poised at creating jobs and grow the economy, in addition to securing the nation and making sure that the rule of law is observed,” he added.