Thursday 22nd July 2004: The newly accredited High Commissioner designate to the Republic of Sierra Leone from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Adamu A. Abbas has presented his Letters of Credence to the President Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.

Presenting his Letters of Credence, High Commissioner Abbas relayed fraternal greetings from President Olusegun Obasanjo and the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whom he referred to as brothers and sisters of the people of Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone and Nigeria, Mr. Abbas re-iterated, have had excellent relations from time immemorial and it is these excellent relations that H.E. President Olusegun Obasanjo has mandated him, as his envoy, to ensure its sustenance, as well improve upon them in the mutual interest of the two countries. He assured President Kabbah that with his assistance and guidance, the cordial relationship will not only be sustained, but it will also be strengthened in the mutual interest of the people.

High Commissioner Abbas also stated that because of the history and geo-political location of the two countries, his job has been made easier. Historically, he said, the peoples of Sierra Leone and Nigeria have interacted and settled in each other's countries and have become not only citizens, but vanguards in the struggle for nationhood.

"With the advert of nation states in Africa and with the emergence of the two countries as sovereign nations, we seized on our historical bands and strengthend relations between our two countries." he said. Geographically, Mr. Abbas said, the two nations are within the West African sub-region, and therefore, in the African sense, are brotherly neighbours. Politically also, the two nations are members of the African Union, but most importantly are members and strong believers in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

High Commissioner Adamu Abbas also made reference to the daunting challenges of nation building facing the two countries. He cited the Nigerian Civil War and the recently concluded rebel war in Sierra Leones as evidences of such challenges, but added that the wounds of these challenges have almost healed, giving way to the process of national reconciliation and nation building. Mr. Abbas, on behalf of President Obasanjo lauded the courage and determination of the Government and people of Sierra Leone in their reconciliation and nation building efforts.

He thanked the government and people of Sierra Leone for giving them the opportunity to be part of the nation building efforts, and gave assurance of Nigeria's continued assistance whenever the need arises.

In the area of the peace building process in Sierra Leone, High Commissioner Abbas praised the efforts of the government in concert with the United Nations, and particularly UNAMSIL and other friendly countries in bringing lasting peace to the country, which he noted have already yielded the desired results. High Commissioner Abbas observed that the major challenge the country is now facing is post-conflict reconstruction. To this end, he assured President Kabbah that the Nigerian private sector would be disposed to explore possibilities of assistance that the country may require for its reconstruction efforts whenever called upon to do so.

Such disposition, Mr. Abbas said, would be in line with the imperatives of African solutions to African problems, which principles are embedded in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). He highlighted one of the objectives of NEPAD which is for the continent to address the bottlenecks of its development, and in the process improve the standard of living of the African people through good governance, transparency and the creation of a vibrant and purposeful private sector.

Nigeria, he said, strongly believes that once appropriate opportunities are accorded to the private sector, a country is better placed to create job opportunities for the benefit of the people.

Receiving the Letters of Credence, President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah said that he was delighted to receive the Letters of Credence by which his brother and colleague, H.E. General (RTD) Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has accredited Mr. Adamu Abbas as High Commissionr to the Republic of Sierra Leone, as well as the Letters of Recall of his predecessor, Mr. Polycap Azige.

President Kabbah expressed appreciation for the kind sentiments and warm fraternal greetings to him, the Government and the people of Sierra Leone sent by the Head of State, the Government and the people of Nigeria. He also conveyed similar sentiments to President Obasanjo for his personal well-being and for the continued prosperity of the Government and people of Nigeria.

President Tejan Kabbah reiterated the relations between the two countries, which he said, dates as far back as precolonial times. These relations, President Kabbah said, have been very cordial over the years due to the strong historical and socio-cultural ties which bind the two sister countries.

"As Sierra Leoneans," the President said, "we treasure this excellent relationship and shall do our best to maintain and consolidate it."

He also said that the Government and people of Sierra Leone note with deep appreciation the enormous material and financial contribution which the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have continued to make to ensure that peace is consolidated in Sierra Leone. This, he said, is evident in the active part Nigeria played in ECOMOG and the continued presence of Nigerian troops in UNAMSIL.

The President expressed his Government's commitment to translating the peace achieved in Sierra Leone into a vehicle for the rapid socio-economic development, which will serve as a memorial for these gallant Nigerians who lost their lives in our struggle.

President Kabbah noted the relentless efforts by the Nigerian Government in solidifying the band of friendship by fostering education in our country with the beefing up of the teaching staff of our University and the tertiary institutions in Sierra Leone through the Technical Aid Corps.

He observed that much progress has been made in resuscitating the economy, reconstructing war ravaged areas and resettling of displaced persons. He also informed High Commissioner Abbas that the Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner set up by Government to bring out the true story of the ten-year rebel war has concluded its sittings and is preparing its final report. The Special Court, he said, has also started its trials which are on-going.

Stating Governments efforts to consolidate democratic principles throughout the country, President Kabbah said that government has decentralized authority thereby giving power to the people to run their own affairs in the wake of the Local Government elections organised in May this year.

President Kabbah said that this resuscitation of Municipal, Town and District Councils in every district will further strengthen Government's support in meeting the challenges for socio-economic progress in our nation.

Noting with satisfaction the firm determination of High Commission Abbas to strengthen the already cordial relations between the two countries and peoples, President Kabbah assured Mr. Abbas of his personal support and cooperation and that of his government and the people of Sierra Leone.

He congratulated Mr. Abbas on his appointment, wishing him a successful tour of duty.

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