Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to travel to Senegal and Nigeria

✔ Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk

By Samantha Allen

Published: April 18, 2022 | 2:19 PM GMT

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that the Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be in Senegal and Nigeria from April 19 to April 22.

In Dakar, Senegal, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will meet with key government officials and parliamentarians to discuss African Union priorities and shared foreign policy objectives. He will also meet with United Nations and World Food Programme partners to discuss Canada’s engagements in peace and regional security issues, including food security.

In Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will meet with government officials and parliamentarians, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to discuss parliamentary diplomacy, political participation of women, development priorities and programming, COVID-19, the impacts of the crisis in Ukraine on African countries, and other shared priorities. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will also engage in important discussions with human rights defenders, representatives of UN agencies and civil society leaders on issues such as media freedom, democracy, the rule of law, regional stability, inclusive governance and gender equality.

During his visit, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will also engage with counterparts to promote an integrated approach to security, development and regional cooperation.

Quotes

“Canada and Africa have a long history of fostering meaningful relationships. We are committed to cultivating these important ties with our African partners and we will continue to deepen our engagements on regional priorities and international issues.”

– Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

Nigeria is Canada’s largest trading partner in Africa, with $2.67 billion worth of bilateral merchandise trade in 2021.
In the 2016 Canadian census, 52,380 people identified themselves as Nigerians.
In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, 11,667 Nigerians studied in Canada.
In 2022, Canada and Senegal are celebrating the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations. Diplomatic relations were begun in 1962, when Canada established its embassy in Dakar.
In 2020, Canadian foreign direct investment in Senegal had a total value of $1.228 billion, a 21.7% increase compared to 2019.

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About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.