Nigeria-Switzerland days 2022: Issues of mutual interests take centre stage as ceremony winds up in Bern, Switzerland

The 9th Round of the Annual Process of Political Consultations between the Governments of Nigeria and the Swiss Confederation, Friday, ended in Bern, the Switzerland capital city.

The meeting, which is also known as “Nigeria-Switzerland Days 2022” discussed the long- standing bilateral and multilateral co-operation between Nigeria and the European country It recalled and examined indepth issues of mutual interests bordering on migration and development, peace and security in Nigeria and the African continent as well as asset-recovery, trade and investment.

In addition to the above, the meeting, also, discussed the fight against trafficking in persons, capacity-building, youth employment and job creation, assistance, human rights as well as co-operation in legal matters among other important subjects-matter.

According to a release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the weekend, which was monitored in Abuja: “The very robust engagement further addressed our cooperation and partnerships in the human rights space and ecosystems. It highlighted mutual areas of interests at the global stage and within the contexts of ongoing Nigeria-Switzerland collaboration on security matters, police and prisons/correctional reforms, youths and sports development and advancement of women’s rights.

“We agreed on the need for strategic reciprocal support arrangement to promote agreed interests at the UN Human Rights Council, amongst others. Both countries stressed the importance of the Universal Periodic Review, as a peer engagement mechanism and tool to be explored for support on identified good causes, as well as deepening collaboration at the UN General Assembly”.

Continuing, the release, further emphasized that, “Both countries expressed commitment and dedication to our relationship spanning several decades and agreed to finalising bilateral instruments that would enhance a tripartite approach to stemming illegal migration and promoting access to opportunities. The framework, which is already being rolled out, will link migration to development and trade in the region.”

Led by Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian delegation to the event comprised the following:Amb. Nicholas Ella, Director Consular and Legal Department; Amb. Bolaji Akinremi, Director, ETID,; Amb. Buba Magudu,the Nigerian Envoy at Berne, Switzerland as well as Amb. Richards Adejola, Permanent Representative of Nigeria in Geneva, Switzerland and Dr Ajayi Olajide, S A to the Permanent Secretary.

In addition to the above as part of the Nigerian delegation were also the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Barr. Tony Ojukwu and the DG, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

The delegation on the Swiss side was led by Ambassador Livia Leu, the Secretary of State Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.