The outgoing Nigerian High Commissioner to Rwanda, Peter Ayibakuro Ogidi-Oke, has hailed the warm bilateral and trade relations between Rwanda and his country.

Ambassador Ogidi-Oke said the two countries enjoy strong ties in trade, investment and technical areas, noting that they are looking to further strengthen these relations for mutual benefit. The envoy, who was speaking at a farewell party held in his honour by the Nigerian Community in Rwanda, earlier this week, said Nigeria has in the past few years sent health volunteers to Rwanda to support the local health sector. He said the latest team of volunteers, who came under a technical co-operation deal with the Ministry of Health, arrived in the country last month.  The ambassador, who has retired from public service, will leave the country next week. The envoy was posted to Rwanda in 2012, and had previously represented his country in Jamaica and Mexico, among others.

Ambassador Ogidi-Oke called on the Nigerian community in Rwanda to represent their country well as their patriotic duty. He thanked them for the great co-operation accorded to him during his term of service in the country and urged them to give the in-coming envoy maximum co-operation, and continue to support one another. 

Speaking at the event, the leaders of the Nigerian community in Rwanda, Prof Umaru Garba Wali and Dr Mercy Nwankwo lauded the envoy for his unwavering service to the country and support to his countrymen and women. Prof Wali is a don at University of Rwanda’s School of Engineering, College of Science and Technology, while Dr Nwankwo is a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) - Kigali campus.