The Anambra State Emerging Entrepreneurs Network (ASEEN), has said it is working to enhance collaborations with Niger Republic on trade and leadership skills opportunities.
President of ASEEN, Mr Chinedu Aniagbaoso disclosed this in an interview with News men in Awka following their return from a six-day trade mission to Niamey, the capital of Niger.
He said ASEEN was working in collaboration with National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA )Youth Entrepreneurs, Anambra chapter.
He also stated that the mission was for a first hand experience of the West African country and establish business collaborations as part of efforts to boost trade relations among West African countries.
He said, “Our visit to Niger is to add flesh to our intention to collaborate with Niger to deepen the process of growing the African economies through promotion of trade and services.
“Niger Republic is the only country in Africa that has a joint commission with Nigeria, we hope to explore and facilitate trade and services opportunities between the two countries to the advantage of many Nigerian youths.
“The mission was very insightful because we discussed areas of mutual economic benefits to both countries which many Nigerians neglect.”
Aniagbaso said they were received at the Nigeria embassy in Niamey from where they proceeded to the Niger Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Place De La Concertation.
He said they also visited the African Development University (ADU), Niamey, a bi-lingual (French and English), non profit institution in Niger and later to Permanent Secretariat of Nigeria-Niger Joint Commision (NNJC) in Niamey.
“We established a point of collaboration between A.D.U and Onitsha Business School via exchange programs and entrepreneurship studies.
“The management of these two institutions are eager to kickstart this process immediately.
“We interacted warmly with students, we were also happy to find some Nigerians studying and working in the institution,which offers world class education to students from the Sahel region.
“It was an honor to be received by the great son of Kano State and the Secretary-General of NNJC, Ambassador Alahaji Rabiu Akawu,” he said.
He appreciated the Onitsha Business School for providing the administrative support and the Nigeria embassy in Niamey for facilitating and accompanying them for the visit.
Aniagbaso said the ASEEN trade mission would return to Niger in June 2023 for an entrepreneurship and leadership skills summit and training for no fewer than 1,000 young entrepreneurs from Nigeria and Niger.
