New Year message from Ambassador

Happy New Year to all of you.
 
Looking back, I recall last year as a historic year in which the new era, REIWA began in Japan and which witnessed a boost in exchange visits of dignitaries between Japan and Nigeria. In June, Mr. TAKEI Shunsuke attended Nigeria’s Democracy Day Ceremony as Special Envoy of Prime Minister ABE and in August President Muhammadu Buhari attended TICAD7 in Yokohama. It was the first time in 11 years that a Nigerian President visited Japan. In addition, H.E. Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, visited Japan to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of the new Emperor in October. In November, H.E. Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives, and H.E. Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, Honorable Minister of Interior, visited Japan respectively. H.E. Mr. Lai Mohammed, Honorable Minister of Information and Culture, also visited Japan in December.
 
In addition to government officials’ visits, there were active exchanges between the two countries in the fields of culture and business. The network of Japanese studies in Nigeria further expanded: the establishment of Japanese course at the University of Nigeria as well as events such as the African Society for Japanese Studies led by the University of Ibadan and Lead City University in Oyo State, and the Japanese Culture Day organized by the Japanese Culture Club at the University of Abuja. It was a year where I felt that the presence of Japan in Nigeria had increased. In addition, Japanese animated films were screened for the first time at the African International Film Festival in Lagos last November. Through these events, I reaffirm the beauty of Japanese soft power.
 
In the business field, Dr. Hirano, Executive Vice President of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), visited Abuja and Lagos to give a lecture on industrial diversification, and interacted with business people in Nigeria. In addition, the Japan Pavilion at the Lagos International Trade Fair was a great success, with 37 companies, the largest number ever, exhibiting and winning a prize for the second year in a row. Furthermore, following the agreement at the summit meeting at TICAD7, the Japan-Nigeria Business Facilitation Council was established last November. It is expected that through discussions and proposals at this council the business environment will be enhanced, thereby encouraging Japanese companies to invest in Nigeria and contribute to the further development of Nigeria.
 
The new year we have entered is going to be another memorable year: Japan will host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer while Nigeria will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its independence, which is also the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Nigeria diplomatic relations as well as the establishment of the Japanese Embassy in Nigeria. Our Embassy will continuously put more efforts into furthering the existing relations between our respective countries with the sincere wishes of it being worthy of its 60th anniversary.
 
Finally yet importantly, I sincerely wish all of you a year filled with peace, good health and happiness.
 
 
KIKUTA Yutaka
 
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan
to the Federal Republic of Nigeria








Ambassador's Message (JAN 03, 2019)
Ambassador's Message (May 25, 2018)