Consul of the Republic of Benin, Alhaji Muntari Ali Daura, has described Benin as a “thriving hub of Africa’s economic diplomacy,” and re-affirmed his commitment to ensuring that he performed his duties in line with the norms of international diplomacy.
Speaking on a local Radio station in Kano, he said with Benin taking the gauntlet in fostering business and economic ties within the African sub-region, avenues for prosperity and speedy economic development had been created to meet the continent’s needs.
He added that it would greatly reduce the exploitative tendency of foreign multi-national companies operating in the region.
According to him, countries like Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Benin Republic are at liberty to expose what they produce locally since they have signed a covenant to that effect.
He said there would be no hue and cry if the goods needed to be traded within Africa were locally produced, adding that those who had chosen to patronise foreign goods and use Benin as a transit point had no safe haven to escape duty fees and excessive tariff charges.
On what he was doing to protect the integrity of Benin nationals in Nigeria, Daura said what was of immense interest to him was the fact that Benin nationals were law-abiding and that he had not received cases of wrongdoings or allegations of crimes against any of them.
He said: “I am always up and doing to protect their interest knowing that it is a responsibility bestowed on me. I always liaise with relevant security agencies in finding out what is really going on. The security agencies on their part keep me posted whenever the need arises.”
He called on Benin nationals in Nigeria to strive to maintain their status as peace-loving citizens and avoid anything capable of destroying the reputation they worked hard to earn.