By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government has congratulated the Government and people of Botswana on the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary, praising its progress since gaining independence in 1966.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the government conveyed Nigeria’s warm felicitations to Batswana as the country marked the milestone. 
Nigeria’s congratulatory message was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on behalf of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria.
The government said Botswana’s journey since independence on September 30, 1966, had been marked by significant progress in nation-building.
“Nigeria recognises the remarkable progress Botswana has made in its nation-building journey since independence on 30 September 1966, and commends its Government and people for their resilience, dedication and courage in advancing national development over the decades,” the minister said.
Nigeria described its relationship with Botswana as longstanding, cordial and mutually beneficial, built around shared values and interests, mutual respect and a commitment to democratic governance, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
According to the statement, bilateral relations between both countries have expanded over the years across political, economic and socio-cultural spheres.
The relationship has also been supported by institutional engagement and growing people-to-people exchanges, particularly through the Nigeria-Botswana Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation.
At the multilateral level, Nigeria said it continued to work closely with Botswana within the United Nations, African Union and Commonwealth of Nations.
It said both countries had contributed to efforts aimed at promoting international peace and security, sustainable development and a stronger multilateral system.
Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its friendship and solidarity with Botswana while deepening bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The Federal Government extended its best wishes to Botswana’s President, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, as well as the government and people of the country.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu wished Botswana continued “peace, stability, prosperity and progress” as it entered a new chapter of its post-independence journey.
