Ambassador Poroy Highlights Türkiye’s Ties with Nigeria, Africa at 103rd Republic Day Reception

Ambassador recalls the Republic’s founding principle and traces Nigeria ties as Erdoğan’s recorded message is screened

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Turkish Embassy in Abuja hosted a diplomatic reception on Thursday to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, bringing together Nigerian dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, business figures, members of the Turkish community and friends of Türkiye.

Among those in attendance was former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, alongside several ambassadors and other distinguished guests.

President Erdoğan’s recorded Republic Day message, screened at the Turkish Embassy in Abuja

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Mehmet Poroy, welcomed guests and reflected on the country’s emergence as a republic following the four-year Turkish War of Independence, after the defeat and dissolution of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War.

He recalled the founding principle associated with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic: “Peace at home, peace in the world.” Poroy said the principle continued to guide Türkiye’s relations with countries and regions across the world, including Africa. He also noted that Türkiye established a strategic partnership with the African Union in 2008.

Turning to Nigeria, Poroy recalled that Türkiye’s Consulate General in Lagos was established in April 1959, when discussions and preparations for Nigerian independence were well advanced. He said bilateral relations were elevated to ambassadorial level on 9 November 1960, one month after independence, and that cooperation had since developed across various fields on the basis of mutual respect, friendship and what he described as “win-win cooperation”.

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Mehmet Poroy

The embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission, Arda Arıkan, also addressed the guests. Afterwards, guests watched a recorded video message from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who congratulated the Turkish nation, Turkish Cypriots and Turkish citizens living abroad on the anniversary. He also thanked guests attending celebrations at Türkiye’s diplomatic missions.

In his message, Erdoğan described the Republic as “the strongest sign of the independence will” of the Turkish nation and its determination to live freely and shape its own future. He pointed to progress in defence, energy, transportation and diplomacy as milestones towards a stronger and more prosperous Türkiye.

Addressing the international climate, he said Türkiye was preserving its stability while assuming responsibility for resolving disagreements amid wars, conflicts and crises. Invoking the maxim, “Peace in the world, peace in the region and peace at home,” he said Türkiye would continue its efforts for peace and justice. He reaffirmed the “Century of Türkiye” vision and concluded by paying tribute to Atatürk, the heroes of the National Struggle and those who sacrificed their lives for the country.

Poroy also announced an exhibition of paintings by his wife, Ayşegül Torak, an Associate Professor of Fine Arts. The exhibition will run from 3 to 5 November at the Atatürk Gallery of the Museum of Fine Arts, with the opening ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m. on 3 November.

A cross-section of Nigerian dignitaries, diplomats and members of the Turkish community at the reception

He thanked the museum for its support and invited guests who wished to attend but had not received invitations to indicate their interest.

The evening continued with dinner and networking among guests. Raffle tickets were distributed on arrival, with winners announced later in the evening.

Delegates from PEACE Magazine, led by the Managing Editor, Alhaji Abdussalam Abdulfattah, were also in attendance.

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