Kano state government has expressed readiness to promote cooperation with the Lebanese government in the commerce sector and other areas of human and economic development.
A statement signed by the state director of press Halilu Dantiye, quoted the governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as saying this while receiving the Consul, Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria, Khalil A. Muselman who visited him at the Government House, Kano
According to him, since the early 19th century, Lebanese businessmen have been playing important roles in the economy of the state and the nation as a whole, adding that his administration will welcome more of their contribution in moving the state to the next level of development.
“Kano has huge human and material potentials for development and we will welcome support from your government and any other friendly countries toward improving the economy of our state and making life better for our citizens,” Governor Kwankwaso was quoted as saying.
On his part, Muselman said his was in the state to commiserate with the people on the demise of the erstwhile Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero and to congratulate the new Emir, Mallam Muhammad Sunusi II.
The envoy also congratulated the people of Kano over what he described as “the great achievements brought to the state by the administration of Governor Kwankwaso” in the areas of education, roads and electricity among others, which he noted, are important for the economic development of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
The history of the Nigerian Lebanese communities in Nigeria dates back to 1885 when Ilyas Khoury, migrated to Nigeria on a business adventure, while in 1912, Seman Naoum became the first Lebanese to permanently settle in Kano city.
Since then, the population of the Lebanese community especially in Kano had significantly increased with many of them graduating from ordinary traders in agricultural products and European good to being key players in the industrial sector, a move that significantly transformed the economy of the ancient commercial city of Northern Nigeria.
Ever since Nigeria formally opened a diplomatic mission in Beirut in 1973, relations between both countries has witnessed great progress especially where there are convergence of interests in terms of eradication of colonialism, apartheid, support for the promotion of new world economic order, peaceful settlement of the Arab – Israeli crisis and more recently, reformation of the United Nations Security Council.
Follow Us
