Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Nigerian President
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has praised the forthcoming Summit of Eight Developing Nations (D-8) scheduled to open on Wednesday 7 July, 2010 in Abuja, the nation’s capital stating that it will give further impetus to the strengthening of economic relations among members of the group.
He made this remark at a pre-summit meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, adding that the summit will also provide D-8 Heads of State and Government with a welcome opportunity to share ideas and evolve fresh options for addressing common challenges such as poverty and unemployment.
The President formally welcomed Prime Minister Hasina to Nigeria, saying that her personal attendance at the Summit will add great value to the 7th meeting of D-8 leaders, and also help to boost bilateral relations between Nigeria and Bangladesh.
Dr. Jonathan promised that the Federal Government will give due consideration to her request for the reopening of Nigeria’s High Commission in Bangladesh, adding that Nigeria would like to have a diplomatic presence in the capitals of all D-8 nations.
He said that the pooling of resources for common good by the Developing Eight (D-8) countries, offers a unique approach to development which is consistent with the imperatives of a globalize world.
“To this end, Nigeria will use the opportunity of its leadership of the D-8 in the next two years to intensify development cooperation, and promote the efficient allocation of resources among member-states on the basis of the principle of comparative advantage,” he noted.
He continued: “In a world that has become truly global, in which our fate as peoples and nations have become interconnected, the D8 development model of pooling resources for the common good, offers a unique approach to development.”
The President said Nigeria values its membership of the D8 dearly, both as a vehicle for development cooperation and as a manifestation of the strong bond of friendship and shared interests among member-states which, he said, transcends geography and religion.
Dr Goodluck commended the D8 Secretariat and its Council of Ministers for working hard to prepare the grounds for the Heads of Government meeting that would adopt the Abuja Declaration.
Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister Hasina told President Jonathan that she had participated in the maiden D-8 Summit held in Istanbul, Turkey in 1997 and believed that its founders’ vision of greater economic cooperation within the group will yield positive dividends for all member nations.
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