Prime Minister Witnesses Signing of Agreement with Nigeria

May 12, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today joined Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on development cooperation between Canada and Nigeria. The signing ceremony took place in Ottawa during President Obasanjo's state visit to Canada.

"This Memorandum of Understanding will help to facilitate the delivery of Canadian aid in Nigeria," said the Prime Minister. "This agreement will help us to deepen our cooperation and to better target aid to the regions that are most in need. It is tangible evidence of a commitment by both governments to the improvement of the situation of those in need."

The Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation Between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was signed by Minister of International Cooperation Maria Minna, on behalf of Canada, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Alhaji Sule Lamido, on behalf of Nigeria.

The MOU is aimed at further strengthening the warm relations between Canada and Nigeria and fostering development cooperation between them in conformity with Nigeria’s priorities in economic and social development. Activities to be undertaken under its framework include the provision of technical assistance, joint projects by Canadian and Nigerian partners and the promotion of relations between institutions, organizations, firms and persons of the two countries.

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