Nigerian Delegation Visits Pyongyang

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri (L) shakes hands with DPRK Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Myong San (R) in Pyongyang on 11 October 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Myong San (seated, R) and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri (seated, L) sign an intergovernmental agreement and the minutes from the DPRK-Nigeria Joint Commitee’s 3rd meeting in Pyongyang on 11 October 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 11 October (Thursday) that the DPRK-Nigeria Joint Committee concluded its third meeting.  The Nigerian delegation was headed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri.  The countries’ joint committee met during 9 to 11 October.  During the last day of the meeting, KCNA reported that Onwuliri and DPRK Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Myong San (Ri Myo’ng-san) renewed a DPRK-Nigeria agreement “on cooperation in the fields of the economy, science and technology.”  Also attending the meeting were Nigeria’s ambassador to the DPRK, Nwofe Alexander and other Nigerian and DPRK officials.

On 10 October (Wednesday), Onwurili met with Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam).  According to KCNA she “congratulated the Korean people on significantly greeting the 67th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea,” and said “during her stay in the DPRK she was deeply moved by the Korean people achieving great successes despite all difficulties in boundless reverence for their leader.”  Onwurili also presented a gift to Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).

SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (R) shakes hands with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri (L) at Mansuade Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on 10 October 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On 11 October (Thursday), Rodong Sinmun reported that the Nigerian Embassy hosted a reception.  In attendance were DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun (Pak U’i-ch’un), DPRK Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Myong San and DPRK Vice Minister of Higher Education of the DPRK Education Commission O Min, “officials concerned, diplomatic envoys of various countries and members of the international organizations” and “members of the Nigerian government delegation and staff members of the Nigerian embassy.”  Also, on 11 October, KWP Secretary and Director of the International Affairs Department Kim Yong Il (Kim Yo’ng-il) met Nigerian Ambassador to the DPRK Nwofe Alexander.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri (L) talks with SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam at Mansuade Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on 10 October 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (2nd R) poses for a commemorative photograph with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Viola Onwuliri (2nd L), Nigerian Ambassador to the DPRK Nwofe Alexander (L) and a Nigerian government official (R) at Mansuade Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on 10 October 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Advertisement