President Benigno S. Aquino received three incoming envoys who submitted their credentials as they formally assume their positions as ambassadors of their respective countries.
First to submit his credentials to President Aquino during simple ceremonies at the Music Room of the Palace, Wednesday, was Ambassador-designate of Brazil George Ney de Souza Fernandes who expressed his country’s commitment to further develop trade and investments between Brazil and the Philippines. He underscored technical cooperation in agriculture, agrarian reform, bio-fuels and management of natural resources. as well as implementation of existing cooperation agreements on bio-fuels and agriculture.
Following was the presentation of credentials of Ambassador-designate of India Amit Dasgupta to President Aquino also at the Music Room of the Malacanang Palace.
Prior to his tour of duty to the Philippines, Ambassador Dasgupta was the Consul General of India in Sydney, Australia. The diplomatic ties between the Philippines and India was established in 1949.
India has an embassy in Manila while the Philippines has an embassy in New Delhi. The two countries has forged a Treaty of Friendship in July, 1952.
Nigerian Ambassador-designate to the Philippines Akinyemi Farounbi also met with the Chief Executive to formally submit his credentials.
The Nigerian envoy Farounbi was a broadcasting guru and an astute politician who was a recipient of National Merit Awards.
The Philippines has been sending workforces to Nigeria primarily involved in the oil, gas and construction industry, while Nigerians come to the Philippines to pursue their higher education studies.
Records show that as of end of the year 2011, there are 7,240 Filipinos in Nigeria, mostly professionals and spouses of Nigerian nationals.