THE Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the European Union (EU) across critical sectors, including trade, security, education, and technology, as part of efforts to address emerging global challenges and promote sustainable development.
According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Magnus Eze, the position was conveyed in the minister’s remarks at the 4th Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Lecture.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu made the remarks during the event where the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, delivered a guest lecture titled “Sustainable and Climate Resilience Future: Beyond Rhetorics.”
She described the memorial lecture as timely, noting that the world is becoming increasingly interconnected while grappling with complex challenges such as insecurity, economic uncertainties, climate change, and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The minister underscored the pivotal role of diplomacy in navigating these challenges, stressing that the presence of the EU Ambassador symbolised the strong and evolving partnership between Nigeria and the European Union.
According to her, the collaboration between both parties has continued to yield tangible benefits in trade, education, governance, security cooperation, and capacity building.
She further reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to playing a leading role on the global stage, particularly within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and across the African continent, advancing peace, security, and development.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s foreign policy remains anchored on mutual respect, non-interference, strategic partnerships, and the protection of national interest.
Speaking on climate issues, she noted that the institution hosting the lecture shares similar environmental values with the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, highlighting his long-standing commitment to nature.
She recalled that the late Igbo leader had a passion for tree planting and understood early the importance of preserving nature’s balance, even before climate action gained global prominence.
“Trees were the silent guardians of our air, our soil and our future,” she stated, linking his legacy to the theme of climate resilience.
The minister also called for renewed commitment to building a Nigeria anchored on justice, unity, and shared prosperity, urging investments in education, youth empowerment, and institutional strengthening as pillars of sustainable development.
Addressing graduating students, she encouraged them to be worthy ambassadors of their institution, noting that while education provides a foundation, character, resilience, and integrity would ultimately define their success.
“Be ambassadors of this great institution, uphold its values, and contribute meaningfully to national and global development,” she said.
She further emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration between academia and policy-making, urging universities to function as think tanks capable of generating research to guide government policies, particularly in foreign relations, economic diplomacy, and national development strategies.
The minister assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would remain open to such partnerships in its efforts to project Nigeria positively on the global stage.
She commended the organisers of the lecture and pledged continued support for initiatives promoting educational diplomacy and international cooperation.
In his remarks, the EU Ambassador, Mr. Gautier Mignot, described Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a strong advocate of Nigeria-EU relations.
He acknowledged that while climate action may be costly, the consequences of inaction would be far more severe.
The lecture, organised as part of the Founders’ Day celebration of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), honoured the legacy of the late Igbo leader and former Biafran war-time head of state after whom the institution is named.
COOU, formerly Anambra State University, was renamed in 2014 in honour of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who passed away in November 2011.