Mehmet Poroy, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Nigeria, has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Nigeria, describing the partnership as strategic and mutually beneficial.
Poroy made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 102nd Republic Day of Türkiye, held at the Turkish Embassy.
The event brought together members of the Turkish-Nigerian business community, Turkish citizens residing in Nigeria, and senior officials of the Nigerian government and diplomatic corps.
In his address, the Ambassador described Republic Day as a moment of pride for all Turks at home and abroad, noting that the country continues to record significant achievements across multiple sectors including defence, economy, education, agriculture, tourism, energy, and foreign policy.
“Today, we proudly celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the establishment of our Republic. I hope that this important day, which embodies our ideals of independence and the sovereignty of our nation, will be a source of blessing for our country, our nation, and all humanity”, Poroy said.
He highlighted Türkiye’s long-standing statehood tradition, symbolised by the 16 stars surrounding the sun on the presidential seal, and reaffirmed the nation’s determination to achieve the goals outlined in its “Century of Türkiye” vision, a development agenda aimed at positioning the country as a global leader in innovation, peace, and prosperity.
Poroy also reflected on Türkiye’s resilience in the face of national challenges, particularly the devastating earthquake of February 6, 2023, which claimed thousands of lives and displaced many.
“We are healing the wounds of the earthquake disaster and swiftly providing safe homes for our brothers and sisters affected by it. By the end of the year, we will have delivered the keys to 453,000 homes, as promised”, he said.
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The envoy emphasised Türkiye’s pursuit of a peaceful and secure nation, free from terrorism, and expressed confidence that the country would continue to overcome challenges threatening its unity and stability.
On global issues, Poroy underscored Türkiye’s growing role as a mediator and humanitarian actor in international crises.
“At a time when wars and conflicts are eroding universal values, Türkiye is working for a more just world.
“In Gaza and Palestine, as well as many other crisis regions, we are striving to stop the bloodshed, heal the wounds, and pave the way for lasting peace through mediation, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid”, he stated.
