NEWS
CANADA TARGETS ABIA FOR STRATEGIC ECONOMIC ALLIANCE AS DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER, ROJAS-ARBULU IDENTIFIES AVIATION, Clean ENERGY, EDUCATION, AND AGRICULTURE AS KEY COLLABORATION PILLARS IN HIGH-LEVEL TALKS WITH GOV. ALEX OTTI
The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Nigeria, identifying Abia State as a strategic partner for mutually beneficial collaboration.
Mr Rojas-Arbulu made this known on Wednesday during a high-level meeting with Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, at Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, where he engaged the Governor and key stakeholders on areas of shared commercial interest between Canada and Abia State.
The Deputy High Commissioner, represented by Canada’s Trade Commissioner and Second Secretary, Delane Boakye, identified Aviation, Energy, particularly Clean Energy and Education as priority areas for collaboration.
Mrs Boakye noted that in the area of Education, Nigeria remains the second-largest source of international students to Canada, adding that Canada is home to over 17,000 Nigerian students.
She also highlighted Canada’s global expertise in aircraft development and training, as well as its strong agricultural base, as priority areas for collaboration.
Describing Nigerians as “very dynamic, hard-working individuals with a strong entrepreneurial spirit,” the Canadian Trade Commissioner emphasised that her core mandate is to promote investment opportunities in Nigeria and foster closer bilateral cooperation.
“Part of my mandate and my role is to really shine the light on the opportunities that exist here, on the richness of the culture and the people and build those ties between our countries.
“I’m here in Abia, like I said, on behalf of the Deputy High Commissioner, Carlos Rojas-Arbulu, who some of you may have had the opportunity to meet.
“We see synergies in areas like aviation, where Canada is a world leader in Aircraft development and training, in Agriculture, with our rich natural resources and agricultural products through the prairies, in Energy and Clean Energy.
“Looking forward to expand into areas of workforce development and mutual collaboration to be a part of,” she said.
Responding, Governor Otti, who thanked the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner for choosing Abia State as the first state to visit, highlighted the State’s strength in human capital, describing it as its most valuable asset.
Governor Otti further described Aba, the commercial hub of the State, as both a major trading centre and an emerging industrial base.
“We have a whole lot to offer in Abia in terms of human capital and that’s the most important resource, if you ask me. Our people are industrious. Many of them are well-educated.
“Aba is not just a trading post, it is also an industrial post. So you see a lot of manufacturing. You see light industries,” Governor Otti said.
Governor Otti assured that the State is ready for collaboration, particularly in renewable energy, Aviation, Agriculture, and Education, as part of efforts to accelerate economic growth and industrial development.
The Governor also expressed interest in partnering with Canada in the Aviation sector, particularly with aircraft manufacturer Bombardier.
He revealed that the State is constructing an international-standard airport in partnership with the Federal Government, with the runway already completed.
On energy, Governor Otti reaffirmed the State’s readiness for partnerships, particularly in energy development, noting that the necessary legal and regulatory frameworks are already in place.
He assured the delegation of the State’s willingness to deepen engagements through relevant Ministries and Agencies and expressed optimism about building stronger, enduring ties between Abia State and Canada.
Present at the meeting were top State government functionaries, including the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole; the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, FCIB; Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi; Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukeagbu; the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ch
ief Mathew Ekwuruibe; among others.