Benin seeks closer Nigerian ties as Governor Bagudu visits

President Boni Yayi of Republic of Benin has called on Nigeria to assist his country in areas of border settlement, socio-economic development and joint partnership on trade.

Yayi made the call when he received a delegation of technical experts led by Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi in Cotonou on Thursday, and solicited for assistance on roads and infrastructure.

He said that Benin in spite of border disputes believed that it had a lot to gain from Nigeria’s abundant human resources.

The president said his quest to benefit from Nigeria had been for long, adding that he had meaningful deliberations with past Nigerian leaders.

Yayi expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari would support the quest by the Kebbi governor to actualise trade development and African integration with his country.

He identified joint partnership on road construction, infrastructure and power supply as areas that both countries would achieve integration. According to him, Nigeria and Benin Republic are in cultural and cultural bond to support each other.

He urged Bagudu to improve the road network, establish a dry seaport and final border dispute resolution that would result in economic prosperity between Kebbi and Benin Republic.

Bagudu said he was in Benin to commence a framework that would result in improvement of socio-economic development of his state, Nigeria and Benin Republic.

He said his delegation would identify specific road projects to be provided that would enable growth in trade and social development of both countries.

He said the commitment by Buhari to improve socio-economic development in Africa had motivated him, noting that the Federal Government interest had been embraced holistically by Kebbi.

The governor said that the establishment of a dry port at Illo would be of great benefit to Nigerian business community from the North-West zone.

NAN reports that Bugadu was on a three official visit to Benin Republic to finalise on social and economic growth of both countries.

He was accompanied by the Benin Republic Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Joseph Laleye, diplomats from both countries, top government officials and technocrats.