President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Venezuela’s acting President, Mr. Nicholas Maduro on his victory in the elections held in the country yesterday to elect a successor to late President Hugo Chavez who passed away last month. Jonathan notes that Nigeria and Venezuela have traditionally enjoyed close and cordial bilateral relations.
A statement by Reuben Abati, the presidential spokesman said Jonathan looks forward to working with Mr. Maduro and his administration to further reinforce and expand existing trade, economic and developmental cooperation between both countries for the benefit of their
people.
“President Jonathan also expects that under Mr. Maduro’s leadership, Nigeria and Venezuela will continue to work together in close collaboration to strengthen the Africa-South America Cooperation Forum as a platform for the promotion of economic and political cooperation between the two countries and continents”the statement said.
“As Mr. Maduro prepares to be formally sworn into office on Friday to complete the six-year term which late President Chavez would have begun in January, President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will grant him the courage, wisdom and understanding to lead the people of Venezuela forward in unity and strength to greater progress and development.He wishes Mr. Maduro a very successful tenure”Abati said.
