•’Solution to insecurity, instability embedded in root causes’
Italy considers Nigeria one of its major economic and security partners in Africa, according to Italy’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stefano De Leo.
De Leo said as such, Italy would seek to work closely with Nigeria’s in-coming administration to improve the level of bilateral and multilateral cooperation involving the two countries.
The ambassador disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
For both nations, uncertainty, crime rate, violence, security issues are top on the agenda; we need to find common solutions. We need inclusive solutions and must discuss the solutions in a main international fora.
“We are members of the European Union. In the United Nations system, Nigeria is increasingly playing a strategic role, especially when it comes to economy and security.
“On May 29, a new administration will come in. From that moment, we have to find ways to improve and increase our cooperation in many fields.
“We shall look at where Nigeria is strategic, starting from oil and gas. We shall also go into other economic issues and also issues that are concerning the global security balance.
“So, Nigeria is a major player without whom we cannot decide worldwide balances in security issues,” he said.
The ambassador said that Italy had been a colossus in the fashion world for centuries and that cooperation between the two countries in fashion and art would provide them with the impetus to be global giants in the industry.
According to him, Italy is a superpower in the fashion world today because it is a major player playing a dominant role in the industry.
“I must say that we can learn from the talents here in Nigeria. Nigeria can also learn from Italy.
“We are known for the beauties of centuries past.””
De Leo said that knowledge sharing and exchange of information would enable Italy to identify development opportunities in many fields such as sports, economy, politics, arts and culture.
“With more knowledge on these sectors, Italy and Nigeria will work together to strengthen our relations,” he said.
The envoy said he had been holding meetings with some state governors in Nigeria towards deepening economic and cultural cooperation with Italy.
“The meetings also seek to reach common grounds on the refugee question.
“We want to see and to have an overall view of Nigeria and to get inspiration from our meetings; we need to develop and translate actions that are based on diplomatic ties that can touch culture, politics, economy, refugee and also to collaborate with Italian companies in areas necessary,” he said.
He said it was impossible to stop migration because it “serves as a boosting element in economic prosperity and international relations.
“Migration has always been a boosting element in international relations.
“Migration is a sign of growth and it means people want to make themselves better.
“What we can do is to offer legal structures to increase migration and to find, apprehend and prosecute those who exploit people interested in migrating.
“Migration is a double-standard activity. So, we need to improve the legal structures and channels and fight those who want to exploit migrants.
“These exploiters exploit the interest to migrate for personal reasons and crime-related activities; they need to be stopped.’’
Responding to a question on what the Italian government is doing to help Nigeria tackle insecurity, the ambassador identified proper education as an important approach.
This, he said, is because education empowers members of society, including women and the youth, in politics and other aspects of their lives.
“In our Italian way, security and stability cannot be ensured and achieved by military action alone.
“We have to touch the root causes which is the best way to curb insecurity in our country.
“We have to touch the root causes. So, we have our Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), who are working here in Nigeria, and who support efforts at addressing security issues.
“We are working mainly in Nigeria with the European Union to address the root causes which are education, empowerment of society and politics which plays a big role in the lives of youth and women.
“We are not directly involved in fighting those who commit crimes or terrorists, but we are basically working to address the root causes which are not very visible.