Cote d’Ivoire, Mexico appoint Nigerians as honorary consuls

Mr. John Olatunde Ayeni, a Nigerian businessman has been appointed Honorary Consuls General of Cote d’Ivoire.

Ayeni’s appointment was in recognition of his contribution towards the improved business relations between both countries.

Also, another businessman, Adebayo Abayomi Adeyemo presented his letter of Commission as the Honorary Consul of Mexico to Nigeria.

Ayeni, who spoke shortly after presenting his letter of Commission to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali, said his responsibility is to promote continued mutual relations between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.

The businessman said he has been saddled with the responsibility of fostering economic and cultural advancement and also to keep diplomatic relations open between both countries.

He said: “For me it is an opportunity to serve and I am always in the service of humanity to encourage relationship between Nigeria and our other brother countries, especially our Francophone brother countries.

“There are lots that we can develop and derive from our union. It’s time for Africa to trade within Africa. We have the population, we have the resources and we have people who have the intelligence to make this continent great and that is the duty and the responsibility on the shoulders of people like us who have been given the chance to encourage and build this bridge and create the avenue for cross border trading effectively. That is one of the pivotal reasons why I have been given this responsibility and I promise to do my best.”

He noted that one of the barriers to free trading among African states was the lack of information.

He also described multiple trade as another obstacle to free trading within the African continent.

The Honorary Consul of Mexico, who also spoke to journalists, said his responsibility is to promote mutual relations between Nigeria and Mexico.

Adeyemi, who is the first honorary consul of Mexico to Nigeri, said, “it is my responsibility to promote continued, mutually beneficial relations between Nigeria and Mexico, to foster economic and cultural advancement and to keep diplomatic relations open between both countries.”