STATEMENT DELIVERED BY HER EXCELLENCY, DR. (MRS) N. N. AKANBI, AMBASSADOR

EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE

OCCASION OF THE RECEPTION HELD IN HONOR OF THE PRESENTATION OF HER LETTERS OF

CREDENCE TO HER ROYAL MAJESTY QUEEN BEATRIX OF THE ROYAL KINGDOM OF

 NETHERLANDS  ON 18TH JUNE 2008

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

My fellow compatriots

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Nigerian Residence in the Netherlands and to announce to you all that today, the 18th June, 2008 at exactly 9.00 a.m., I was received in audience at the court of the Royal Palace, where I presented my letters of Credence to Her Royal Majesty, Queen Beatrix of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was indeed a magnificent experience and the ceremony, to say the least, was very splendid.

The felicitation and best wishes of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, as well as the good tidings of the Government and the people of Nigeria were conveyed to her Royal Majesty.

This ceremony marks the beginning of what I call a new chapter in the relationship between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands.  I intend to do my best to enlarge the scope of our bilateral relations especially in the areas of Trade and Investment as well as Consular Relations.   It is my fervent wish that the relationship between our two countries would be consummated, during my tenure by serious and sustainable negotiations at Inter-Governmental levels to discuss all areas of our relationship on an annual basis or once in two years.  The scope of our discussions should transcend Shell – Nigeria Relationship into discussions on Agriculture, Science and Technology, Tourism, Education, Health, Power and Energy, Transportation, Trade and Investment.

I look forward to encouraging effective participation of the Dutch Entrepreneurs in the Nigerian Trade and Investment Sectors.  I assure you that the Embassy would be ready at all times to discuss with prospective Dutch entrepreneurs, issues concerning Investments in our Country and Development of Bi-lateral relationships in the areas elaborated.

I wish also to assure my compatriots here that the dividends of our democracy and [our new policy of citizen’s diplomacy would be made readily available for them by my staff and I in the Embassy.

We remain ever ready to support the legitimate and lawful rights of all Nigerians in the Netherlands.  In this regard, I call on all of you to be law abiding while pursuing your legitimate business.  The Embassy is opened for you to make your requests and complaints 24/7 at all times.  May I seize this opportunity also to extend my warmest regards to my brothers and sisters in the Diplomatic Corps who have joined me here today as well as members of the Host Government and all the invitees.  I assure you that I would be available at all times to participate effectively as a member of this worthy Corps.  I thank my colleagues in the Embassy for all the support that they have given me since my arrival and I hope that my tenure would be a very interesting and enjoyable period for you all.

I thank you all very much and have a wonderful lunch.

Embassy of Nigeria,

The Hague