Speech arriving in Nigeria

Prime Minister

Your Excellency President Babangida, Mrs. Babangida, Members of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, Honourable Ministers, State Governors, Chiefs and Traditional Rulers, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am grateful to you, Mr. President, for the kind remarks you have just made and for your warm welcome to Nigeria.

Nigeria's reputation in the world stands high. Your people are famous for their vitality and enterprise, for their talents and friendliness. Nigeria's influence extends far beyond its borders. It plays an important role in world affairs.

History has brought our two countries close together. My aim is that we should remain close.

There have sometimes been problems in our relations, but I believe that they are now set on a course of steady improvement and I hope that my visit will confirm and strengthen that. Nigeria matters to Britain and I hope that Britain matters to Nigeria.

We have much to talk about, Mr. President: world issues which concern both our countries; the courageous programme of economic adjustment that your Government is pursuing; and our bilateral relations. [end p1]

I am sure that we shall deal with the problems of Southern Africa, which are of very real and direct concern to both our countries. There are no differences between us in our desire to see apartheid in South Africa ended.

May I say, Mr. President, how grateful I am to all those who worked so hard to put together such an excellent programme. Tomorrow, I shall be travelling north to Kano and have the chance to see something of your great country outside Lagos. Before I do so, I shall be opening the new British Council offices here, which will mark a new stage in the expansion of the Council's activities, making it the second largest of their operations throughout the world.

Mr. President, my purpose in coming is to know and understand Nigeria better and thus to understand Africa better. We shall not agree on everything—I think we are both renowned for our strong and independent views—but it is in a spirit of friendship and great respect that I come and in the hope that my visit will mark a new and important stage in relations between Britain and Nigeria.

Thank you for your warm and friendly welcome (applause).