Nigeria, Poland Sign MoU On Agric Development

Nigeria and Poland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agriculture, with a pledge to enlarge the fields of economic cooperation in the energy and manufacturing sectors.

The ceremony took place during the state visit of President Andrezej Duda of Poland, the first by a Polish leader to Nigeria since the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries in 1961.

Addressing a joint press conference with the visiting head of state, President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, thepresident said Nigeria was gratified by the existing fruitful cooperation with Poland in maritime, education and defence sectors.

On agriculture, which is one of the priority areas of the Nigeria, the president said cooperation in this area would be a win-win for the two countries, especially in the context of global food insecurity occasioned by the conflict in Ukraine.

He said in view of the numerous global challenges, Nigeria would like to develop new mechanisms for cooperation including regular strategic dialogues and political consultations to cover not only bilateral relations but also to address regional and international issues.

Describing the two-day visit of the Polish president as significant, Buhari commended the efforts of the Government of Poland in providing assistance to the large number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, including a significant number of Nigerians.

In his speech, Duda said Nigeria was the only African country Poland had signed an agreement of strategic dialogue with, which includes the MoU on agriculture cooperation.

‘‘What was pivotal in our conversation today both in our tete-a-tete as well as the plenary session was how to provide food and energy security.

‘‘It is important to us to strengthen the relations between Poland and Nigeria and the MOU we have signed is very important for the future of both nations on food security,’’ the Polish president said through an interpreter,” he said.