By Cross Udo, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that due to President Bola Tinubu’s bold, courageous leadership and well-thought-out policies, Nigeria is now on a new growth trajectory and ready for investments across different sectors.
This is just as Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, is set to lead a delegation of top executives in the country’s public and private sectors on a state visit to Nigeria for the second session of the Brazil-Nigeria Mechanism for Strategic Dialogue after over a decade-long break.
Speaking during an update meeting with relevant ministers and heads of agencies on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, the Vice President noted that “in President Bola Tinubu, we have a leader who has shown that dexterity, that audacity to hope for a better tomorrow.”
Shettima expressed satisfaction with the ministers’ firm grasp of the fundamental issues in the key sectors targeted for deliberations during the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, which is slated for later in the year.
He called on all the key actors on the Nigerian side to make adequate preparations for the meeting, noting that there has to be some clarity, strategic coherence, and a deep understanding of issues that will be tabled for discussion.
In his words, “I want to urge all Ministers involved in this Nigeria-Brazil strategic dialogue to take charge of the initiative of the discussions so that we can take it to the next level. Let’s walk the talk. Please drive the process, engage with the different strategic focus groups, and give us weekly updates to prepare us for the visit of the Brazilian Vice President and his delegation.
“The most important thing now is for us to actualize the dreams of our nation’s development. We have the resources and institutional knowledge to make this work for our country.”
Regarding the similarities between Nigeria and Brazil, the Vice President stressed the need to leverage the vast opportunities inherent in the partnership between both countries to actualize Nigeria’s vision in agriculture, culture and tourism, livestock production, and military technology, among other areas.
Earlier in his speech, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari said the dialogue presents a renewed opportunity for Nigeria to revitalise the nation’s agricultural sector and attain the administration’s food sovereignty goals.
“On behalf of the agriculture sector, it is time for us to walk the talk. It is a good day for Nigeria because agriculture will play a major role in the partnership. We have an opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world and be on our way to food sovereignty,” the Minister said.
On her part, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa spoke on the cultural significance of the partnership, saying, “There is a vast population in Brazil of Nigerian descent who have a lot of interest in Nigeria.
“What we have done in the Ministry is to engage Brazil actively in working together. We already have an MoU but want to expand that beyond cultural diplomacy. Brazilians are very interested in tapping into our creative industry,” she added.
The Minister hinted at plans to rebuild the Nigerian House in Brazil and host an annual Orisha Festival soon.
On defence cooperation, Minister of Defence Muhammad Badaru disclosed that “all is set for signing a defence agreement with Brazil. We are also engaging with them on defence industry development to start production centres in Nigeria.”
Also speaking, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Mohammed Ali Pate highlighted the healthcare opportunities that dialogue presents to Nigeria, noting that the platform is an essential relationship for Nigeria.
He says, “Brazil can produce almost everything it needs, including pharmaceuticals and vaccines. We are keen on turning things around, and with President Bola Tinubu’s efforts, we are unlocking the healthcare value chain.
Manufacturing vaccines, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals is on the agenda, but it’s a long journey, and we are determined to complete it.”
Also, the Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture (Office of the Vice President), Ms. Marion Moon, said, “Brazil’s agricultural expertise—from its successful cropland expansion to its global leadership in key commodities—offers invaluable insights for our development.
“The upcoming $1.1bn Green Imperative Project exemplifies the depth of our relationship and its potential to revolutionize Nigerian agriculture through modernization and technology transfer.”
She explained that the Strategic Dialogue will be preceded by a Trade and Investment Forum coinciding with the anticipated visit of Brazil’s Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, H.E. Geraldo Alckmin.
Others who spoke at the meeting included the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and a representative of the Minister of State for the Environment, Balarabe Lawal, among many others.
