The Nigerian Ambassador to Jamaica, Dame Maureen Tamuno on Friday,met with her counterpart, the Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr, Esmond St C Reid in Abuja on familiarization visit.
During the visit, Dame Tamuno unfolded her plans for synergy between the two countries.
She said despite the issue of the Covid-19 pandemic, she had devised a lot of areas that would foster symmetric relations which would be of immense benefit to the countries.
” There is a lot between Nigeria and Jamaica, Business, Culture,Tourism, Fashion, Language and Topography among others.
” With a lot of precision and speed despite the pandemic,we are going to devise ways and means to get things done quickly ,virtually, and otherwise to wet the appetite of people so that when the coronavirus is gone, people will key into the markets.
“We look forward to a wonderful relationship.Iam sure together, we can get the ball rolling and make progress for our nations” she said.
Earlier ,the Jamaican High Commissioner , St C Reid wished Tamuno a successful tenure in Jamaica saying “he looked forward to an exciting patnership as they work to strengthen the relations and to ensure that Nigeria and Jamaica develop great things at multiple sectors at the sectoral and interpersonal levels which includes trade, business, tourism ,people to people contact, and culture.
” Given the historical connections, there is already a solid platform that we can build on” he said
He added that with her energy, creativity and experience , he had no doubt that they would work together to further relations between the two countries.
Reid who is two years old in Nigeria , described the country as a home of absolutely wonderful people,
According to him, Nigerans are people with a lot of spirit, strength of character, and determination to get things done.
” Nigerian people are absolutely wonderful . They are people with a lot of spirit, strength of character , determination. I have hardly been anywhere where I ,’ve seen so many people who are determined to get things done and to make success out of even very small resources. I have seen where in the areas I have been able to visit so far, the people are very keen to strengthen their families structures, their communites and to really work hard to get things done. So I am very impressed and I solely wish for Nigeria all that is good in the years ahead “he said.
On the Covid situation in Jamaica,Reid said the situation has fluctuated.
” At the beginning, the country was doing remarkably well and we were able to manage the number but in recent weeks,there has been a spike in the number of cases
, “We are now at the phase experts call Community spread, but we are working through this. The government and the population are working on measures to try to contain the spread. “The High Commissioner said.
Nigeria and Jamaica have come a long way.the two countries marked 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2020..
Unlike Nigeria which has a population strength of over 200 people with diverse ethnic groups who play vital roles in the nation’s polity,Jamaica on the other hand is a country with about 2 million people of multi-racial backgrounds . Its tourism Industry is a strong force turning in no fewer than 4 million tourists yearly pre- Covid-19 pandemic.
In the past, travellers to Jamaica from Nigeria would spent 3 days to get to their destination but travel to the Caribbean country has been made a lot easier as a Nigerian Carrier,AirPeace operatates a direct flight of about 11 hours duration to Jamaica.
