Nigerian envoy to Indonesia assumes duty

The Nigerian Ambassador to Indonesia, Hakeem Balogun, has assumed duty in Jakarta after he presented his Letters of Credence to the country’s President Joko Widodo.

A statement from the Nigerian Embassy in Indonesia, said the new envoy expressed Nigeria’s commitment to deepen relations with Indonesia in areas of trade and investment, such as agriculture, energy, solid minerals, oil and gas, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure development.

Balogun told the Indonesian president that he would convey his request on his invitation to President Muhammadu Buhari to visit Indonesia and his request for direct purchase of Nigeria’s crude oil.

The ambassador said that Nigeria was the surest door through which Indonesia could enter the African market.

He said that the current volume of trade between Nigeria and Indonesia stands at around 1.7 billion dollars in favour of Indonesia.

He said a proposed Nigeria-Indonesia Joint Commission would be an opportunity for both countries to further boost the existing cordial relations.

Responding, the Indonesian president said there were many Indonesian companies in Nigeria, including IndoFood, makers of the popular Indomie Noodles.

The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1965 with the opening of Indonesian Embassy in Lagos. Nigeria subsequently opened its embassy in Jakarta in 1976.