Nigeria-Switzerland day 2022: issues of mutual interests take centre stage

By Flourish Alonge

Long-standing bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the European and other in-depth 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, were issues that took the center stage at the just concluded year 2022 Nigeria-Switzerland day.

At an event tagged “Nigeria-Switzerland Days 2022” which was held in Bern, Switzerland’s capital city on Friday 10th June 2022 witnessed the 9th Round of the Annual Process of Political Consultations between the Governments of Nigeria and the Swiss Confederation.

The fight against trafficking in persons, capacity-building, youth employment and job creation, assistance, human rights as well as cooperation in legal matters were among other important subjects that were discussed at the event.

In a statement by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both countries have expressed commitment and dedication to a bilateral relationship spanning several decades “The very robust engagement further addressed our cooperation and partnerships in the human rights space and ecosystems. It highlighted mutual areas of interest 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”.

“Both countries expressed commitment and dedication to our relationship spanning several decades and agreed to finalize 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.