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The Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Lincoln Downer, said one of his main objectives is to foster and strengthen the good relations between the two countries at both the government and people-to-people levels.
“Jamaica is very well known in Nigeria. They talk about Bob Marley, Usain Bolt and reggae music. So wherever you go, people know a lot about Jamaica,” he said, adding that when people hear you are from Jamaica, they usually respond with respect.
The High Commissioner took up his post in Abuja, Nigeria, last October, having previously served as Consul General in Toronto, Canada, and was posted to several other countries, including Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Morocco and Cameroon.
Speaking about plans to improve relations, he said Jamaica and Nigeria were discussing a cooperation agreement focusing on the areas of energy, sports, trade and investment.
“We were planning to organise a trade mission with our Jamaican counterparts but unfortunately it is not possible at this time but it is one of my priorities to explore and promote trade and investment,” he told JIS News.
The High Commissioner also informed that he met with representatives of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization that promotes the interests of the business community in Lagos, Nigeria.
In addition, Mr. Downer mentioned that the two sides held discussions with tourism industry stakeholders in Abuja to explore ways to increase tourism between the two countries.
“Currently, the Commission has received up to 1,000 applications for Jamaican visas. Nigerians come to Jamaica for employment, tourism and students also come,” he said.
“So there is a growing interest in Jamaica so we are looking at how we can work with travel agencies to expand the market and also have some form of mutually beneficial partnership so now we are incubating this project,” he added.
The High Commissioner further noted that the Nigerian business community is focusing on “opportunities in tourism, food manufacturing, transportation, and oil and gas.”
Mr Downer said the High Commission had been providing information to the Nigerian business community “and demonstrating Jamaica’s interest in doing business with Africa’s largest economy”.
“So both sides really need to understand each other more, understand what the opportunities are, what the incentives are, and that’s what the high-level committee will be facilitating,” he added.
The High Commissioner stressed that the African market is one that cannot be ignored.
“We have to show that Jamaica is interested in doing business with Nigeria, which is the largest economy in Africa and has a population of over 200 million. So you really can’t ignore that this is a market that is worth exploiting,” he said, noting that the commission has been promoting the development of Jamaica’s logistics, tourism and food manufacturing industries.
In April, High Commissioner Downa presented his credentials to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Representatives of the Throne Parish of the RCCG (Redeemed Christian Church of God) recently held a church service in Abuja, Nigeria to mark the 62nd anniversary of Jamaica’s independence.
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