by Stanley Azuakola

President Jonathan said in Abuja on Thursday that he has plans to ensure that there is a Nigerian embassy or representational office in all African countries.

He disclosed this when he received the new Mauritanian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr B. A. Abderrahmane.

President Jonathan explained that the move was necessary and in line with his administration’s commitment to promoting democracy, good governance, and progress on the African continent, in conjunction with all African countries.

The president reaffirmed that peace, political stability, and socio-economic development in Africa was central to Nigeria’s foreign policy.

He said that Africa remains the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy and that since Africans cannot keep waiting in expectation for others to come and initiate things for them, they needed to establish functional relationships among themselves.

He expressed the hope that the existing relationship between Nigeria and Mauritania would be further strengthened during the tenure of the new ambassador.