Nigeria has taken a step further in strengthening its bilateral relations with the Republic of Benin yesterday, as the latter appointed a honourary consul to Nigeria. The minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama received the letter of credence of Alhaji Mustapha Haliru as the honourary consul of the Republic of Benin to Nigeria.

Previous to his appointement Alhaji Mustapha Haliru worked in several capacities and also is a successful businessman conducting businesses in both Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. Expressing his delight at the occasion, the minister described Haliru as a man with a fulfilled life.

The Republic of Benin used to be Dahomey, until 1975 when it got its new name.The Republic of Benin is situated east of Togo and west of Nigeria. It shares borders on the north with Burkina Faso and Niger, and in the south by the Bight of Benin, in the Gulf of Guinea. Benin’s coastline is just 121 km (75 mi) long. Porto-Novo, is the country’s capital city. Cotonou, its largest city is the economic capital. Languages spoken are French, Fon and Yoruba.