Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Queen's envoy arrives for centenary celebrations

The United Kingdom Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, will this weekend represent his country in Nigeria’s centenary celebrations, the Commonwealth and Foreign Office confirmed.

According to the office, he is scheduled o arrive on Monday and will visit to Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.

At the centenary event, scheduled for Saturday, Simmonds will deliver a keynote speech in which he will address the potential for Africa and Nigeria's future. "African choices in a new Nigerian century.”

It will be the first of four speeches on the UK's relationship with Africa that Simmonds plans over the next few months.

Speaking ahead of the visit Simmonds said, “I am excited to be making my second visit to Nigeria and I am looking forward to representing the British Government at the 100 years celebrations.  I bring with me the best wishes of the British people, including a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth."

His four day programme will also include a visit to Lagos, where he will meet Governor Fashola, and he will also visit British business at Port Harcourt to discuss opportunities and challenges in the Niger Delta.

It will be his second visit as Minister for Africa

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