By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Italy has celebrated the 80th anniversary of its Republic, highlighting the contributions of over 132,000 Nigerians living in the country .
The nation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria in the areas of democracy, peace, education and economic development.
Speaking during the National Day reception in Abuja yesterday , the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, described Nigerians in Italy as a vital link between both countries, contributing significantly to their economies and fostering deeper people-to-people ties.
Mengoni said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on Italy’s remarkable journey from the devastation of World War II and fascism to becoming one of Europe’s leading democracies.
“Eighty years ago, Italians chose freedom, democracy and equality. Italy does not teach lessons; we only offer our imperfect example of a country that, through 80 years of hard work, has changed for the better,” he said.
The ambassador noted that Italy’s republican constitution, adopted in 1946, was founded on the principles of equality, justice and human dignity for all citizens, regardless of gender, race, language or religion.
According to him, Italy’s progress over the past eight decades has been driven by democratic governance, social solidarity and inclusive development.
Mengoni also paid tribute to the role of women in shaping modern Italy, recalling that June 2, 1946, marked the first time Italian women voted in a national election.
He said women had since played a transformative role in the country’s political, economic and social development, while acknowledging that challenges relating to representation, pay equity and safety still remain.
On international relations, the ambassador stressed that peace and justice remain central pillars of Italy’s foreign policy, in line with Article 11 of the Italian Constitution, which rejects war as an instrument of aggression.
He reaffirmed Italy’s support for international peace efforts and its commitment to multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, European Union and NATO.
Speaking on Nigeria-Italy relations, Mengoni described Nigeria as a strategic partner, noting that Italian companies have maintained a longstanding presence in the country across critical sectors of the economy.
He expressed optimism that recent developments involving Italian energy giant ENI would encourage greater investment flows and strengthen economic cooperation between both nations.
The ambassador also highlighted growing diplomatic engagements between the two countries, recalling the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome last year.
He announced that Nigeria and Italy would jointly chair the Global Partnership for Education Conference later this year, a move expected to deepen collaboration in the education sector.
“Here in Nigeria, Italy is a partner. We support Nigeria’s democracy, development and the protection of all its people regardless of religion or ethnicity,” he said.
He further cited the success of Olympic volleyball champion Paola Egonu, born in Italy to Nigerian parents, as a symbol of the strong cultural and human connections binding both nations.
He added that Italy views Africa as a close neighbour and strategic partner in addressing global challenges such as terrorism, organised crime, poverty and climate change.
The event featured an exhibition showcasing the contributions of Italian women to national development and attracted members of the Nigerian government, the diplomatic corps, business leaders and the Italian community in Nigeria.
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