President Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja met behind closed doors with visiting President-elect of  Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Akufo-Addo expressed confidence that the relations between Nigeria and Ghana would be deepened during his time as president.

“I have been elected but I have not taken the oath of office. That will be taking place on Jan. 7.’’

“The relationship between our two countries is so important for our countries, West Africa and Africa. I think those of us who are in positions of leadership need to know each other and have an understanding and address the main concerns of our populations.

The Ghanaian President-elect, who revealed that he would be taking his oath of office on Jan. 7, stated that he was in Nigeria on a private visit to Lagos where he participated in the Future of Africa Awards.

He described his meeting with President Buhari as fruitful, adding that he used the opportunity to introduce himself formally to the president and wished him happy birthday.

“I came on a private visit to Lagos on Sunday to participate in the Future of Africa Awards and I thought it is proper that I take that opportunity to come to Abuja to pay my respect to the President.

“But in the meantime, I have come to introduce myself to President Buhari so that we begin to know each other.

“I had the opportunity to say a belated happy birthday to the President. His birthday is an important day in my life because that day is my late mother’s birthday.

“We had a very good exchange. We are determined to grow the relationship between our two countries.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ghana’s Electoral Commissioner, Charlotte Osei, on Dec. 9, announced that the country’s main opposition leader, Nana Akufo-Addo won the Dec. 7 Presidential election.

He said Akufo-Addo defeated President John Dramani Mahama by 53.8 percent to 44.4 percent of the total votes cast during the election.

“It is my duty and my privilege to declare Nana Akufo-Addo as the president elect of Ghana,” Osei was quoted as saying at a news conference in Accra, Ghana.(NAN)