A team from the National Defence College of Nigeria on Monday 25^th February, 2019 met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Dr. Alie Kabba at his Tower Hill Office in Freetown for a presentation on the Foreign policy of Sierra Leone.

Speaking on the essence of their visit, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies at the National Defense College of Nigeria, Major general Peter Dauke said was to afford participants the opportunity to understand the bilateral and geopolitical relationships between Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

He said the visit will equally give participants the opportunity to understand the dynamics of international politics and its impact on Sierra Leone.

The theme for their visit Major General Dauke said was to look at agriculture and other national development priorities where Nigeria could benefit from the experience of Sierra Leone.

The Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies gave a synopsis of the college which he said was established years back and that since its inception, they have trained and graduated over 2000 participants from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He said the college prepared senior officers for operational and strategic level appointments for both national and international levels.

The National Defense College of Nigeria he said was charged with the responsibility of Strategic Leadership training for Senior Officers of the Arm Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, strategic MDAs and also officers from other countries.

The Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Alie Kabba welcomed the participants with the depth of historical ties between the two countries which he said was a special relationship that the people and government appreciated and prioritized.

He said Sierra Leone has perceived Nigeria as a reliable, steady and trusted partner since independence.

The two countries he explained, are active members of the international system and that they have been able to advance their common interests not only within West Africa, ECOWAS, AU, but also internationally.

Minister Kabba went on to state that, Nigeria is a major stabilizing force in the region and as a government, they are confident that Nigeria’s growing stature in the international system is good for the continent.

Dr. Kabba said the presence of the participants from the National Defense Force of Nigeria was an affirmation of the special bond that connected the two countries. This bond he maintained, Sierra Leone is taking every opportunity to deepen and strengthen it.

He assured the participants that under the ‘New Direction’ Government of President Julius Maada Bio, they would continue to strengthen the blossoming of those ties in a very strategic way as it was in the mutual interest of the two countries.

The meeting was climaxed with a presentation on the Foreign Policy of Sierra Leone and was chaired by the Director General and Ambassador at Larger, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Paul Minah