Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening diplomatic relations with the Republic of Congo and acknowledged the leadership of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso in promoting peace and stability across Africa’s Great Lakes region.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while receiving the Prime Minister of Congo, Anatole Makosso, VP Shettima praised Sassou-Nguesso’s leadership and assured that Nigeria would consider Congo’s request for support in its bid to lead the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
“President Denis Sassou-Nguesso is one of the greatest stabilisers on the African continent. He is well-respected and has the experience and exposure to provide leadership to a turbulent region. Your country is a beacon of hope and stability in the region,” Shettima said.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, VP Shettima assured the Congolese Prime Minister that his request for Nigeria’s endorsement of Firmin Matoko as UNESCO Director-General would be transmitted to the President.
“Be rest assured that all the issues raised, especially over your candidature for the Director-Generalship of UNESCO, will be conveyed to the President. And I am hopeful that he is going to endorse your candidacy, fundamentally because what binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. Wherever we go, we are essentially one people,” he said.
Prime Minister Makosso delivered a special message from President Sassou-Nguesso to President Tinubu and called for deeper relations between both countries. He specifically sought Nigeria’s backing for Matoko, a seasoned UNESCO official with over 30 years of experience.
“We have a candidate for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, Firmin Edouard Matoko, a seasoned diplomat and former senior official of the organisation with over three decades of experience,” he said.
Makosso explained that Matoko joined UNESCO in 1990 and held several key positions, including Director of various regional offices, Director of the Africa Department, and Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations.
He said Congo’s nomination of Matoko was based on merit.
“We are seeking Nigeria’s support for his candidature not because he is a Congolese, but because he is well qualified for the position, especially at this time that UNESCO needs a very experienced person,” he said.
Humanitarian Support
Makosso also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government and people for their humanitarian support to Congolese children under the Rochas Foundation, noting that some of the beneficiaries have graduated while others remain in school.
“We also want to thank the good people of Nigeria for taking care of some young children from Congo, some of them orphans who were offered free education by the Rochas Foundation. Some of them just graduated, while some are still in school. We are very grateful for that,” he said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership within ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations and extended condolences to Nigerians over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
PIAK