Nigeria is a school, says outgoing Kuwaiti envoy

Weekly Trust: You have stayed for four years in Nigeria as Kuwait Ambassador and established bilateral relations with Nigeria. What is your experience like?MR. Saad Abdalla Al-Asousi: My experience in Nigeria was unique and exceptional; I believe Nigeria is a school by itself and in all fields. Whoever works here will acquire lots of experiences […]

Weekly Trust: You have stayed for four years in Nigeria as Kuwait Ambassador and established bilateral relations with Nigeria. What is your experience like?
MR. Saad Abdalla Al-Asousi: My experience in Nigeria was unique and exceptional; I believe Nigeria is a school by itself and in all fields. Whoever works here will acquire lots of experiences that will enable him to work anywhere else in this world. I have particularly established good relations with many of those in authority; I also maintained those relationships since my arrival in this beautiful country. I am leaving this country bearing in mind all that is good and dignifying about this country and its strong, great people. It is a wonderful country at the heart of its people who are always ready to defend it. I do congratulate the Nigerian leadership on this and wish you all success.
In what areas are both countries?
We do collaborate in all fields, we both are active members of the United Nations (UN), Organization of   Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OIC. There is a continued coordination between our two countries on all levels and all fields and we are desirous to have greater coordination in the future.
Is there any trade volume between both countries and how much is it if there is?
We are countries that produce and export oil and hope in the near future to have companies that will export the Nigerian products to Kuwait. As you know Nigeria is a rich country and has lots of natural resources and need investors that can exploit those resources for the betterment of its great people.
What is the statistics of Nigerians living in Kuwait? And how will you describe their character?
We have more than 350 Nigerians living in Kuwait and they work as doctors in our hospitals, professors in our universities, together with students offered scholarship by the Kuwaiti government. They are cultured and well mannered; they play a big role in our society as they found Kuwait to be suitable place and a home away from home. In fact they are living in the midst of their people.
What agricultural products can be exported to Kuwait and how is the ease of doing business in Kuwait?
In fact all the agricultural products are needed in Kuwait. You know Nigeria has lots of products such as vegetables, fruits, wood, livestock that can be exported to the Kuwaiti market through traders and experts.
What is peculiar about Nigeria that you wish to take back for the benefit of your people?
All that is good about this hospitable and generous country that embraced and hosted me as a guest, its picture in my mind is always unique and honourable, I promise you to convey all that is good about this beautiful country to my people.
When will the next Ambassador be coming to Nigeria?
When his nomination is favourably considered by the Nigerian authorities he will be here as soon as possible.
Can you speak briefly on the Arab-African Summit?
My country Kuwait will host this summit in November 2013. As a matter of fact we have started preparations for this summit at the beginning of this year to prepare the required agenda for the summit that we hope to meet all the aspirations of the participating countries, entitled partners in development and investment. Actually the Kuwait Development Fund embarked on assisting and developing countries and as at now more than 40 African countries have enjoyed and are still benefiting from its services.