H. E. Dr Benson Alfred Bana and Prof. Owunari Abraham
Georgewill , Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt
The High Commissioner of Tanzania
to Nigeria His Excellency, Dr. Benson Alfred Bana on 17th September, 2021,
visited the University of Port Harcourt again to push forward the Kiswahili Agenda of the United Republic of Tanzania. He explained that Tanzania’s foreign
policy places greater emphasis on economic diplomacy and cultural diplomacy in
its bilateral cooperation than traditional diplomatic relations which were
largely hinged upon political diplomacy. He explained that the Tanzania foreign
policy emphasizes the need to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation
which are geared at promoting People to People (P2P), business to business
(B2B) and organization to organizations (O2O) relationships. Explained further
that in the international diplomacy arena, there is a shift in emphasis from
mere political diplomacy to economic diplomacy and socio-cultural diplomacy.
Pointed out that the economic
diplomacy and cultural diplomacy strategies form the bedrock of the foreign
policy of the United Republic of Tanzania and Tanzania diplomatic Missions
abroad are mandated to pursue among other things programmes and activities
geared at realizing the objectives of economic and socio-cultural diplomacy,
including but not limited to creating avenues for promoting Kiswahili language,
Tanzania’s lingua franca, abroad. He Informed that Kiswahili is the national
and official language of the United Republic of Tanzania, and it is currently
spoken in countries in the Eastern, Central and Southern African countries with
about 500 million people. Informed further that Kiswahili language is a tool
for promoting Intra-African economic, political and cultural relations
specifically through the free movement of people, services and goods.
Drawing on past records which shows the existence
of a relationship between the University of Dar es Salaam and the University of
Port Harcourt, particularly in the area of teaching and introducing Kiswahili
to West Africa. He strives to revive this relationship between the University
of Dar es Salaam and the University of Port Harcourt for mutual benefit, the
advancement of Kiswahili in West Africa and further strengthening the existing
bilateral relationship between Tanzania 
The follow up meeting at the University of Port Harcourt towards the to reinvigorating collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam in Kiswahili language teaching and research. The meeting is expected to pave the way for further discussions leading to an MoU to pave the way for Kiswahili teaching at UNIPORT as well as staff and student exchange program and much more.
The High Commissioner presenting a Plaque to the Vice Chancellor.
The High Commissioner presenting Tanzania investment, tourism and product brochures to the Vice Chancellor.
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