President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday in Abuja, bid farewell to Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur, and his Italian counterpart, Dr Stefano Pontesilli.
The president’s Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement, said Buhari, who spoke at the event, recalled his days in the military, when he had Staff College training in Wellington, India, before attending the War College in USA.
He wished the outgoing High Commissioner well, as he assumes higher responsibilities in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of his country.
Thakur, who spent three years in Nigeria, said he was glad that the relationship between the two countries was strengthened during the period, and that there was vibrant cooperation on many fronts.
Also receiving Pontesilli, the president said that having spent nine years in all, in two different capacities in Nigeria, “you know our country very well.”
He wished him a successful tour of duty at his next posting, which is Guinea-Conakry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pontesilli was first Consul-General for his country in Lagos for four-and-a-half years and later ambassador for the same length of time.
“I am leaving with part of my heart in Nigeria, as our two countries collaborated in many areas during my time here,” he said. (NAN)