President Muhammadu Buhari has urged for more intensive trade and economic engagement between Nigeria and Italy.

He demanded   that efforts should be made to make it stronger and more secure.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu on Thursday in Abuja. 

While speaking during a courtesy call by Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari described the connection between Nigeria and Italy as ‘very’ strong. 

President Buhari commended the resilience of Italian businesses in Nigeria and expressed happiness that new businesses were in line to be set up in the country.

More so, he commended Italian support for government in tackling the humanitarian situation in the Northeast and the training they are giving to Nigerian policemen.” He said.

According to the statement released by Shehu,  Mr. Gentiloni, who was accompanied by the Italian Minister of State for Interior, Mr. Domenico Manzione, announced his government’s Ten Million Dollars humanitarian assistance to the Lake Chad region countries in addition to what they are already doing, which is within the framework of the European Union.

He added that Gentiloni described the visit of the business group on his delegation as a fulfillment of the promise made by Mr. Matteo Renzi, the Italian Prime Minister, during his visit in February, to strengthen relations with Nigeria politically and economically.