The Nigerian High Commission in Ghana has initiated a programme aimed at increasing the volume of trade between Nigeria and Ghana.

Christened the New Partnership for Nigeria/Ghana Development, the programme is also geared towards the rapid and sustainable development of the two countries.

The Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Chief Sam Okechukwu, said this at the inauguration of the forum of Nigerian Professionals (FNP) in Accra at the weekend.

The forum is an association of Nigerian businessmen and professionals resident in Ghana. Chief Okechukwu described as unfortunate some of the reports in the international media to the effect that Nigeria is a corrupt nation.

He said, "What these distorted and exaggerated media reports about Nigeria fail to indicate is that they are based on obsolete facts," adding that those facts may also have existed before the assumption of office of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said Nigeria has chalked remarkable successes over the past years, which included the drastic reduction of corruption from the body politic of Nigeria through the introduction of an Anti-corruption Bill in the National Assembly which has since been passed into law.

The High Commissioner said the government also continues to record improvements in the lives of the people through the implementation of measures to eradicate the scourge of poverty in Nigeria.

"Unemployment has reduced significantly, while enrolment in schools has been boosted by the introduction of the Universal Basic Education Scheme. Strides have also been made in the telecommunications sector," he observed.

He noted that the only unfortunate fallout of the restoration of civil liberties in Nigeria has been the incidence of communal clashes, which have claimed lives on some occasions.

He, however, gave the assurance that even though these deplorable developments may have engendered fear in some people about the corporate existence of Nigeria, all is well with the country. He, therefore, urged foreign investors who may be disturbed about the security of their investments in the country to discard those unfounded worries and rather take advantage of the attractive economic and industrial policies in operation in the country.

The forum has Mr. Michael Ajayi as President, Mrs. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Vice-President, Mr. Wale Adeoye-Famosa, Director of Socials and Publicity, Mr. Adekunla Alli, Director of Finance, Mr. Aderemi Adekoya, Secretary and Mrs. Folake Soyannwo, Director of Membership and Welfare.