PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Friday in Yamoussoukro, Cote D'Ivoire pledged to continue to work with President Alassane Ouattara and other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to achieve greater peace, security, political stability and economic prosperity in the sub-region.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the President made the pledge while speaking at the City Hall after being presented with the keys to the city by its Mayor, Konan Ouanigbe Jean.
Jonathan said African leaders must continue to do their best to foster greater political stability and accelerate economic growth in their countries and across the continent, noting that no significant progress could be attained without stable governance structures and stronger national economies.
The President, who formally began his state visit to that country earlier in the day, said there was an intrinsic link and a symbiotic relationship between political stability and economic development.
"Without political stability, our economies cannot grow and stronger economies will help us achieve greater political stability.
"We need to strengthen ECOWAS by strengthening our individual countries economically and politically. We must continue to do our best in this regard," Jonathan said.
He thanked the Mayor and people of Yamoussoukro for honouring him and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, with the freedom of the hometown of the late President Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who he described as "one of Africa's greatest sons."
Noting that Nigeria and Cote D'Ivoire already have excellent bilateral relations, Jonathan assured the people of the city that he would work in partnership with Ouattara "to bring our two countries even closer politically and economically."
He welcomed the offer of admission by the elite Felix Houphouet-Boigny National Polytechnic in Yamoussoukro to 50 Nigerian students in the next academic year as a further gesture of friendship, saying the Federal Government would sponsor at least one student from each state of the country to take up the offer.
The President had, after a colourful welcoming ceremony in the city, proceeded to lay a wreath at the burial vault of Houphouet-Boigny.
Formal bilateral talks would be held between Nigerian and the Ivorian government delegations in Abidjan tomorrow.
Jonathan would also address the Ivorian Parliament and meet with Nigerians resident in country before returning home later in the day.
The Guardian