By Bayo Adeoye
History was made last Tuesday when the Portugal Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr António Pedro da Vinha Rodrigues da Silva and other representatives of Portugal stormed the CBC Towers ,Lekki, Lagos State for the official lunch of Five Thousand Miles initiative and the Office of the Consular for Portugal in Lagos. While declaring the place opened the Ambassador re-affirmed his country quest to tighten the bond between Nigeria and Portugal to enable a business friendly environment inspite the current economic recession.
While addressing members of the press,Mr Antonio, spoke on the need to reopen a new consular office at the CBC Towers, Lekki Lagos; where he describes as the ‘New York’ of Africa. “I am very happy on this occasion because it’s important for Portugal and Nigeria because we are re-opening our consular office in Lagos. We are making a statement and willingness to develop and strengthen the bilateral relationship we have with Nigeria”
The well -travelled envoy also used the occasion to introduce the Newly appointed Honorary Consular in Lagos, Mr Pedro Hipolito, who is also the CEO Five Thousand Miles to the media, his duty according to Mr. Rodrigues da Silva is not only to serve the Portuguese community in Lagos or South-west Nigeria, but also to work toward strengthen the economic and trade relationship between our two countries.
Mr Hipolito in his acceptance speech expressed his pleasure in working in Nigeria as Honorary Consul for Portugal.
“As a business man, and C.E.O of Five Thousand Miles, I have been doing business in Nigeria for seven years ; despite the economic recession, I am still optimistic about the future of Nigeria. I will say I am the number one European fan of Nigeria, I can give my testimony. Nigerians are hardworking, truthful and honest people, I can guarantee that with the new development, I and the Embassy, will woo companies from Portugal and other European to invest in Nigeria as a way to create more jobs for Nigerians’. He added.
Mr Pedro, further spoke about his company that was used as a tool to facilitate the new bond between the two countries, He said ‘Five Thousand Miles (5TM) is an international business development agency that dedicates itself to providing a range of diversified services intended to support companies who wish to enter the African market. 5TM has five business areas: advisory, development, networking,
trading and investment. 5TM has among its clients major companies in several business areas. 5TM also promotes networking events and pursues trading and investment opportunities.’
