By Lawrence Olaoye
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that Nigeria is open to more investment from foreign companies, including Turkey, in the areas of construction, manufacturing, technology and other sectors.
Osinbajo made this declaration yesterday while receiving at the Presidential Villa a Turkish business delegation led by Turkey’s Minister of Trade, Ruhsar Pekcan.
With Nigeria and Turkey having existing bilateral relations for decades and maintaining close cooperation in international organizations, the Vice President said he looks forward to greater cooperation between the two countries exploring other areas to deepen economic ties.
According to a statement made available to newsmen by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said “I think also that more opportunities will come for further interactions with Turkey, especially in the light of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement we just signed. I believe very strongly that this is an opportunity also for Turkey to participate fully in the African economies, in particular, Nigeria’s economy. As you are well aware, several Turkish companies are already operating in Nigeria, in construction, manufacturing and other areas.”
The Vice President added that the Federal Government was looking forward to more foreign investment in Nigeria in different sectors.
In her remarks, the Turkish Minister of Trade said the Turkish government is looking forward to improving the bilateral trade volume between Nigeria and Turkey and deepening economic ties. She noted that there are several Turkish companies already in Nigeria and Turkish investors willing to invest in different sectors in the country.
Pekcan also thanked the Nigerian government for its continued support in tackling the global threat of terrorism.
Earlier, the Vice President had received a delegation from the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), the umbrella body of all law students in the country.
During the meeting, Osinbajo stated that young Nigerians play very important roles in building the Nigerian enterprise and urged them to embrace opportunities to make those contributions.
Describing the Association’s innovative campaign, LAWSAN Goes to School, as laudable, the Vice President said he was impressed by the quality, scope of work and thoughtfulness behind initiatives being driven by the association.
In his remarks, the President of the Law Students Body, Mr. Emmanuel Nwobodo, said the campaign is part of the association’s drive to give back to society.
