THE out-going Egyptian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ashraf Salam has said that his country is willing to deploy teachers to assist in strengthening Islamic educational institutions in Kano, if the state government desires.
He stated this during his farewell visit to Kano State Governor, Dr bdullahi Umar Ganduje,
According to him, Egypt has a lot to offer Nigeria, particularly Kano. We want to see how we can help you in manpower development, deployment of teachers and engineers as well as collaboration in the field of agriculture.
He therefore disclosed that Egyptian Cultural Centre in Kano would be upgraded and reorganised as part of efforts to improve Nigeria – Egypt relation, saying that the planned upgrade would make the center bigger and more efficient.
Ambassador Salama, therefore, explained that the Egyptian Cultural Center in Kano has played a proactive role in cementing the long existing relations between citizens of his country and Nigerians, especially Kano people.
Mr Salama described his four-year tenure in Nigeria as eventful, noting that this is because he cherishes the rich culture and civilization of Kano.
He said he would miss Nigeria a lot, a country which he now regards as a second home.
In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje expressed happiness that the Egyptian Cultural Centre would be revived for greater services to Nigerians and Egyptians residing in the country.
He noted that both countries have a long and strong history of relationship, common interests and similar challenges noting that closer ties between the two entities would yield a lot of economic and social benefits.
Governor Ganduje added that at the moment, many students from Kano on government scholarship are pursuing degree programmes and post graduate courses in Egypt, pointing out that this has gone a long way in consolidating the bilateral relationship.
“Our government would look at other areas where we can collaborate with your country and bring development to our people”, the governor maintained, wishing the envoy Allah’s guidance as he assumes his new posting.