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Jamaica’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Lincoln Downer, says one of his main objectives is to improve and promote relations between the two countries at the governmental and people-to-people level.
“Jamaica is very famous in Nigeria. They talk about Bob Marley, Usain Bolt and reggae music in general. So people know about Jamaica everywhere,” he said, adding that people often react with respect when they hear that you are from Jamaica.
The High Commissioner, who took office in Abuja, Nigeria, last October after previously serving as Consul General in Toronto, Canada, is also accredited to several other countries, including Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Morocco and Cameroon.
Speaking about plans to improve relations, he said a cooperation agreement between Jamaica and Nigeria is currently being discussed, focusing on energy, sports, trade and investment.
“We were in the process of planning a trade mission with our colleagues in Jamaica. Unfortunately, it has not worked out now, but it is one of the programs whose priority for me continues to be to explore and promote trade and investment,” he said in an interview with JIS News.
The High Commissioner also announced 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.
Furthermore, Mr Downer mentioned that discussions had taken place with tourism stakeholders in Abuja to explore ways to expand travel between the two countries.
“The commission already has 1,000 applications for visas to Jamaica. Nigerians are coming to Jamaica for work reasons, for tourism purposes or even as students,” he said.
“So there is a growing interest in Jamaica and we are looking at how we can now work with tour operators to grow the market and also build some kind of mutual engagement. That is in the pipeline right now,” he added.
The High Commissioner further stated that the Nigerian business community is focused on opportunities “in tourism, food production, transport and, to a lesser extent, the oil and gas sector.”
Mr Downer said the High Commission provides information to the business community in Nigeria and “demonstrates that Jamaica is interested in doing business with Africa’s largest economy”.
“So both sides really need to get to know each other better and know what opportunities and incentives are available. And that is exactly what the High Commission will support,” he added.
The High Commissioner stressed that the African market should not be overlooked.
“We need to show that Jamaica is interested in doing business with the largest economy in Africa, which has over 200 million people, which is the population of Nigeria. So you really cannot ignore that this market should be exploited,” he said, noting that the commission has promoted Jamaica’s logistics industry, tourism and food production.
In April, High Commissioner Downer presented his credentials to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
Recently, a service to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of Jamaica’s independence was held by representatives of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Abuja, Nigeria.
Source: Jamaica Information Service.
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