Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome its present challenges.
He made the declaration in Beijing, China, on Monday during an interactive session with the Ambassador and Staff of the Nigerian Embassy in China.
VP Shettima, who is in China to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative, which is being hosted by China, noted that the Nigerian leader has outstanding leadership qualities that are worthy of emulation.
He said: “The road that led us to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not happen by chance. This is a man who has shown a precious penchant for aligning himself with the aspirations of the people of Nigeria against all odds.
“He has never been identified with any ethnoreligious solidarity but yet known for outstanding leadership qualities and I am telling with all sense of honesty, I have seen the soul of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and he has a clean heart, he means well for the nation and he is willing to work for the nation.”
VP Shettima added that “all we need to do is to support the President.”
Challenges
The Vice President also used the opportunity to assure Nigerians that the current challenges confronting the nation would be surmounted.
The country is going through some rough paths economically but the giant of Africa I can assure you, like the bird gimmicks will rise from the ashes to greatness. Nigeria shall rise again.
VP Shettima enjoined the Ambassador and Staff of Nigeria’s embassy in China to sustain unity among them as he urged them to continue to serve as economic ambassadors of Nigeria in China.
Strong Ties
Speaking earlier, Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Ahmad Jedda, said the visit of the Vice President to China would help boost Nigeria’s ties with China.
“The visit of the Vice President would serve as a giant stride for further cooperation and synergy between Nigeria and China. It will provide an opportunity to explore avenues for collaboration that align with our national development priorities such as industrialization, technology transfer, skill development and digital sustainable growth,” he said.
The Ambassador said Nigeria and China have a currency swap agreement worth $2.5 billion to boost their commercial ties as well as reduce the use of dollars in their bilateral trade “thereby, improving the speed, convenience and volume of transactions between the two countries. It will also assist both countries in their foreign reserve management, enhance financial stability and promote broader economic cooperation between the two countries,” the Ambassador added.
The Vice President also interacted with Nigerian students in China, where he encouraged them to continue working hard, adding that President Bola Tinubu means well for the youth and will not relent in enhancing their well-being.
Dominica Nwabufo
