The United Kingdom has expressed its readiness to deepen and strengthen the relationship with traditional partners in the Commonwealth after exit from the European Union.
Catriona Liang, the UK high commissioner to Nigeria, expressed the country’s desire when she paid a courtesy visit to Abdullahi Ganduje, the governor of Kano State at the Government House, Kano on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.
“I think we are in a very good period at the moment because with the new government in the UK under Prime Minister Boris Johnson we are in a journey of re-establishing and strengthening the relationship with traditional commonwealth partners in Africa particularly Nigeria.
“Nigeria is always important to the relationship in Africa, we put our money where we have our biggest mission, we have 500 people working for us, 300 in Abuja and 200 in Lagos and another 30 or so in places like Kano,” she said.
According to her, the previous Prime minister visited Nigeria a few years ago and that she has been given clear instructions to deepen and strengthen the relationship and partnership.
Liang said that one of her major jobs was to follow up to the UK -Africa summit, with a focus on commerce and economic side of it.
Speaking on Kano, the high commissioner said that the country would focus on three broad areas; governance, human development, and economic growth.
She said that the UK would slightly shift the way it worked in the country, saying that it was going to develop the concept called “neutral accountability”.
“We are commending the governor for his efforts in human development. This is very encouraging. It is noteworthy to understand that we are strengthening our ties with African states.”
