Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria is now on a new growth trajectory, ready for investments across different sectors.
Shettima said this on Tuesday during an update meeting with relevant Ministers and Heads of agencies at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Newsspecng.com reports that the meeting was held ahead head of the forthcoming Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.
Shettima said the growth trajectory was due to President Bola Tinubu’s bold, courageous leadership and well-thought-out policies.
He noted that “in President Tinubu, we have a leader who has shown that dexterity, that audacity to hope for a better tomorrow.”
Shettima expressed satisfaction with the firm grasp of the real issues by ministers in the key sectors targeted for deliberations during the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.
According to him, the dialogue is slated for the later part of the year.
He called on all the key actors on the Nigerian side to make adequate preparations for the meeting.
He noted that there has to be some clarity, strategic coherence and a deep understanding of issues that will be tabled for discussion.
“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 to give you weekly updates to prepare us for the visit of the Brazilian Vice President and his delegation.
“The most important thing at this moment 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” he said
On the similarities between Nigeria and Brazil, Shettima stressed the need to leverage the huge opportunities inherent in the partnership between both countries.
This, according to him, is with a view to actualise Nigeria’s vision across agriculture, culture and tourism, livestock production and military technology, among others.
Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the dialogue presents a renewed opportunity for Nigeria to revitalise the nation’s agricultural sector to attain the food sovereign goals of the administration.
“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.
Also, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa spoke on the cultural significance of the partnership.
“There is a huge 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. Already, we have an MoU, but we want to expand that beyond cultural diplomacy.
” Brazilians have a lot of interest in tapping into our creative industry,” she added.
The Minister hinted on plans to rebuild the Nigerian House in Brazil as well as host an annual Orisha Festival soon.
On defence cooperation, Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, said all is set for signing of a defence agreement with Brazil.
” We are also engaging with them on defence industry development to start production centres in Nigeria.”
Also, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Ali Pate, highlighted healthcare opportunities that dialogue presents to Nigeria.
He noted that the platform was an important relationship for Nigeria.
” Brazil is able to produce almost everything they need, including pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
” We are keen on turning things around and with the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are unlocking the healthcare value chain.
” Manufacturing vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals is on the agenda, but it’s a very long journey and we are determined to walk through it.”
