Mohamed Fouad, Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria
Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohamed Fouad, says Egypt and other African countries are still striving to address the same challenges, which they fought during their struggles for independence.
Fouad made this known on the occasion of Egypt’s National Day celebration held to commemorate the 72nd Anniversary of the country’s 23rd July 1952 Revolution, on Friday night in Abuja.
He listed the challenges to include human capital investment, energy transition, infrastructure development, and the need to bolster economic growth, create jobs, combat terrorism, violent extremism, women and youth empowerment.
According to him, the 1952 Egyptian Revolution marks a momentous event that catalysed the process of de-colonization, and helped to shape the post-colonial order in Africa.
He said that it also contributed to the emergence of the Global South as a distinct geopolitical power that advocates principles such as freedom, independence, right to development, and a just world order.
“Today, Egypt and other African countries strive to address challenges that are not less enormous than those they encountered during the struggle for independence.
“In this connection, Egypt and Nigeria have been redefining their longstanding and historic ties.
“Our peoples and governments are tapping into their enormous economic and cultural potentials as we envisage the next chapter of our solid partnership.
“From security, countering-terrorism, to energy, communications, digital transformation, trade, and infrastructure, to agriculture, health care and modern education.
“Our two countries are proceeding with determination on the path to forge a modern and forward-looking partnership anchored in our common values and shared objectives,” he said.
Fouad announced that against this backdrop, Nigeria and Egypt would hold the third round of their bilateral political consultations in Abuja during the last quarter of this year.
He further said that the two countries would hold the Egypt-Nigeria Business Council in Lagos in September.
The envoy explained that the Council would help connect the business communities of the two countries, and provide them with the opportunity to explore possible ways and means to enhance their bilateral trade and investments relations.
He also recalled that earlier this month, Egypt hosted the fourth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development.
The Forum, which had as its theme, “Africa in a Changing World: Re-envisioning Global Governance for Peace and Development,” focused on amplifying and advancing Africa’s priorities in the areas of peace, security and development.
Fouad said that Nigeria’s perspectives and contributions to regional peace and security were highly appreciated during deliberations of the Forum.
The Forum, he said, also featured the launch of the Inaugural Aswan Award on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, which aims to recognize and bring forward African-owned solutions and responses to the continent’s most pressing challenges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by dignitaries like former Vice President Namadi Sambo; former UN Under-Secretary General, Ibrahim Gambari; foreign ambassadors, among others.(NAN)
