Kazeem Ugbodaga
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos
The Lagos State Government has struck a bilateral agreement to partner with Finland in key areas of security, energy and education.
Delegates from the Finland Government, led by its Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhum held a closed-door meeting with Lagos State Government delegates led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, on Friday.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affair and Investment, Prof. Ademola Abass, said the essence of the meeting was to promote economic relationship between Finland and Lagos as Finland is the 4th largest economy in Europe and Lagos, the 4th economy in Africa.
“We have looked at areas of cooperation and we took certain decisions which my office is coordinating,” he said, adding that the meeting focused on three key sectors-securities, especially in the area of cybercrime, education and energy.
He said the partnership with Finland would complement the efforts of the state government in its current energy drive to light up Lagos on 24-hour basis.
“We are partnering with Finland because of their track record and on energy, Lagos stands to benefit from the relationship. As our relationship develops, there are other areas we are going to explore,” he said.
Finland Ambassador, Suomela-Chowdhum, said the delegation was in Lagos to promote economic trade between Nigeria and Finland and that as Lagos is the economic hub of the country, the need to partner with the state became imperative.
“We had a fantastic meeting with the governor. We are interested in the sectors we have been covering in Nigeria. Already, we have big companies like Nokia, we are in business in the telecom and public safety. We have stronger players in many sectors, such as health, ICT, education, security and others,” she said.
Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs, Finland, Matti Antionem said Finland and Lagos would explore opportunities in the area of education, security, energy, healthcare, electricity and water, as well as other areas which made the life of the people better.
Lagos partners Finland on security, energy
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