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News Agency Of Nigeria

<h1>The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur, says 50,000 Indians, comprising professionals, investors, technically skilled, medical doctors and educationists are plying various trades in Nigeria.</h1>

Thakur gave the figure on Tuesday at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

He reiterated that India was Nigeria’s largest trading partner globally with bilateral trade between both countries at nearly $12 billion and Indian companies investing in projects worth $10 billion

“India has contributed meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy and growth wherever it can.

“India is the largest functioning democracy in the world at 1.3 billion people with an electorate of 900 million and Nigeria is the largest democracy of Africa. This is something that really brings us together,” he said.

The envoy said the political developments happening in India and Nigeria would not slow down the pace of bilateral cooperation between both countries.

The Indian Government has congratulated Nigeria on the successful completion of general elections on Feb. 23 and March 9.

Local and foreign observers adjudged the presidential and National Assembly elections free, fair and relatively peaceful and commended the turnout of Nigerians in voting process.

They, however, criticised the low voter turnout in the governorship and state assembly elections and pockets of violence that led to death during the general elections.

The observers also called on the relevant authorities to investigate allegations of violence and bring perpetrators to justice in accordance with the laws.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had, however, conveyed a congratulatory letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election which had earlier been handed over by Thakur.

“Allow me to compliment the government and people of Nigeria on very successful round of elections both presidential and gubernatorial.

“Our Prime Minister has sent his congratulations, his heartiest greetings to the re-elected President Muhammadu Buhari and even as these political developments in India and Nigeria are happening.

“India is going into elections next month and we would probably be completing and actually having our new respective governments in place, both countries together, in the last week of May.”

The 2019 general election in India is scheduled to hold in seven phases from April 11 to May 19 with the counting of votes and declaration of results to be done on May 23.

Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur [Twitter/@NNPCgroup]

Thakur gave the figure on Tuesday at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

50,000 Indians doing business in Nigeria, says envoy

<h1>The African Union (AU) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election in the Feb. 23 presidential election.</h1>

In a statement from the AU Commission’s website on Friday, the Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomed the successful conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria.

He stated that “following the announcement made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Feb. 27, AU congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari for winning the presidential election.

“The union wishes President Buhari and the people of Nigeria success in efforts to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous country.”

Mahamat reiterated the conclusions of the AU Observer Mission and other international observers on the election process as largely peaceful and orderly and in conformity with Nigeria’s legal framework.

The chairperson said the largely peaceful conduct of the elections marked another important step in the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.

He commended INEC for the conduct of the elections, and all the political actors and the Nigerian people for their high participation and maturity.

He also called on stakeholders to continue “in this exemplary spirit’’ and refer to existing constitutional and legal framework and other peaceful means to resolve any dispute that may arise.

Mahamat expressed optimism in the “peaceful conduct of the remainder of the elections’’ and renewed the AU’s commitment to continue working with the Nigerian authorities in support of the efforts and in furtherance of the continental agenda.

In a statement from the AU Commission’s website on Friday, the Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomed the successful conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria.

Re-election: African Union (AU) congratulates Buhari

A statement from the British High Commission in Abuja on Wednesday, quoted the Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, as saying “I offer my congratulations to President Buhari on securing a second term as the Nigerian President.

“The UK is a long-standing friend and partner of Nigeria and the Nigerian people and a stable and prosperous Nigeria benefits Africa and the world.”

Baldwin commended Nigerians for their resilience and commitment to democracy.

She said the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were consistent with the results obtained through the civil society Parallel Vote Tabulation process.

“Along with our international partners, the UK believes the Nigerian people can have confidence in the result.”

President Muhammadu Buhari signing his Certificate of Return in the presence of his wife, Hajia Aisha Buhari and INEC chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

UK congratulates Buhari on re-election, says INEC result authentic

She, however, recognised the concerns expressed by Nigerians on the conduct of the electoral process, in particular logistics and results collation, and reports of intimidation of electoral officers.

The minister urged any party or individual who wished to challenge the process to do so peacefully and through the appropriate legal channel.

“We encourage Nigerian authorities to examine all allegations of wrongdoing carefully, and take the necessary action against individuals found responsible’’.

She also condoled with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in election-related violence.

“No one should die in the exercise of their democratic rights,” she stated.

She reiterated the continued support of the UK Government to Nigeria and its civil society “in drawing lessons from these elections and strengthening its democracy”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday declared President Buhari the winner of the 2019 Presidential Elections.

The UK Government has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on securing a second term as president.

<h1>Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Head of ECOWAS Observer Mission to Nigeria and former Liberian President, has promised to help ensure that the election process in Nigeria is peaceful and successful.</h1>

Sirleaf made the promise when she was received by the Vice- President of ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Finda Koroma, at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday.

She was also received by other members of the commission and some representatives of the ECOWAS Parliament.

“I hope to meet with political leaders, I want to be able to understand the role I have to play to make sure that I am well prepared to carry out the function.

“I am pleased that it is an ECOWAS assignment and I will be working with them (ECOWAS Commission) and they will guide me and I just expect that I will join all Nigerians to make sure that this whole process is so peaceful and successful.

“That is the purpose of my mission,” she said.

The former Liberian president also said she would share in the findings of earlier missions and consult with those who had been on ground.

“I cannot make a statement till I have had an opportunity to be able to share in the findings of earlier missions, to consult with those who have been on ground.

“At a later date, the ECOWAS Observer Mission will be fully engaged, will carry out its functions and speak when it is time to speak,” she said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that electoral assistance to member states has been a vital part of the ECOWAS approach to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the sub-region.

With 10 days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, observer groups from the international community have begun to arrive to monitor the electoral process.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Head of ECOWAS Observer Mission to Nigeria and former Liberian President

Sirleaf made the promise when she was received by the Vice- President of ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Finda Koroma, at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Elections: I will join Nigerians to ensure process is peaceful, successful - Sirleaf

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Articles written by the author

50,000 Indians doing business in Nigeria, says envoy

Re-election: African Union (AU) congratulates Buhari

UK congratulates Buhari on re-election, says INEC result authentic

Elections: I will join Nigerians to ensure process is peaceful, successful - Sirleaf