NIGERIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO KING
	The High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Lesotho Mr. Olugbehga Ashiru presented his letters of credence to King Letsie III at the Royal Palace in Maseru on Thursday. When accepting the letters of credence His Majesty said Lesotho and Nigeria share long-standing bonds of relationship and cooperation which he hopes they will be strengthened by the duties that will be performed by the new High Commissioner during his time in office. He said the African Continent faces numerous challenges which include the HIV/AIDS commending Nigeria for hosting a special summit of the African Union on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases in Abuja in May this year. ''The summit showed a great commitment of Nigeria to rid the Continent of its developmental challenges as the issues discussed were at the core of many social ills that the continent faces,'' he explained. The King further said Lesotho is grateful that Nigeria has provided some training programmes to Basotho particularly in the military field adding that the cooperation which continues to exist between the two countries has contributed tremendously to the imparting of knowledge and skills to the Lesotho Defence Force. He assured the new High Commissioner that Lesotho’s government will accord him maximum cooperation in his assignment in a bid to make his functions fruitful and enjoyable for the benefit of the two countries. Presenting his credentials, Mr. Ashiru said he intends to carry out his assignment as mandated and to accelerate and increase the tempo of political, social and economic relationships existing between the two countries. He said in an effort to further strengthen security, Nigeria will continue to make available slots for candidates to participate in the defence institutions. He commended the Lesotho government for being a good host to many Nigerian professionals who are carrying duties in the country. He stated that the delegation of Lesotho at the HIV/AIDS summit in Nigeria made positive contributions adding that since Lesotho and Nigeria are stakeholders in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) there is need to be more involved in the execution of its programmes. Mr. Ashiru said Nigeria is committed to play a positive role in Africa in terms of peacekeeping for the overall peace and security of the continent.
	Source: LENA