FG pleads for Nigerians on Indonesia's death row
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday requested his Indonesian counterpart, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is in Nigeria on a two-day work visit for stay of execution Nigerians on death row while the two countries explore opportunities, for an Agreement of Exchange of Prisoners and Mutual Legal Assistance between the two countries.
Addressing newsmen after bilateral discussions, President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, said “we discussed areas that we can work together, like food, agriculture, energy, politics and security, particularly, in international peace keeping operations”.
Yudhoyono, who was accompanied by his wife, Ani, and about 100 Indonesian businessmen on the visit, said he was in Nigeria to strengthen bilateral relations, and to encourage the businessmen to invest in Nigeria.
This is Yudhoyono’s first visit to Nigeria, which he described as a beautiful country, declaring that “our relation is strong and progressing, and we are committed to enhancing this” even as he invited Jonathan to Indonesia “so that we can discuss how to further our bilateral friendship and cooperation”.
According to Yudhoyono, “Nigeria and Indonesia have pledged to strengthen bilateral ties”, noting that Nigeria was a growing economy with large population like Indonesia, so, the two countries could explore mutual potentials to their advantage and development.
Yudhoyono stressed that trade and investments were crucial to both countries given the size and population and the volume could be increased in years to come, so he encouraged businessmen from both countries to seize the opportunities available.
Also the Indonesian President has invited more Nigerian students to take part in various scholarship programmes extended by the Government of Indonesia.
Earlier in his address, President Jonathan had pointed out that the Indonesian leader was coming from Liberia where he attended a Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) conference. He is the co-chair of the UN Secretary General’s High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the post-2015 Development Agenda.
Jonathan also noted the importance of the conference and the visit, as he declared that it had become evident that most countries might no be able to meet up with the MDGs.
Yudhoyono was received on arrival at the foyer of the Presidential Villa by Jonathan, and his wife, Patience, and honoured with a 21-gun salute after which he inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Brigade of Guards.
The two leaders had earlier noted, with concern, the increasing number of Nigerians in detention, jails and death rows in Indonesia for drug related offended and financial crimes.
In the same vein, Nigeria and Indonesia have agreed to jointly tackle the menace insecurity, fight terrorism as well as cooperate in peace keeping operations.