Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima and Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Temesgen Tiruneh, have held a bilateral meeting where both leaders reviewed relations between both countries and explored opportunities for deeper cooperation in trade, investment, food security, aviation and security.
The meeting was held on Wednesday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on the sidelines of the Leadership Exchange Forum on Nutrition.
The Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister used the opportunity to convey Ethiopia’s condolences to Nigeria over the recent Ondo military air crash.
He said his country places a high premium on its relations with Nigeria, particularly as both nations are among Africa’s most populous countries.
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Mr Tiruneh explained that Ethiopia’s decision to treat nutrition as an economic and development issue led to the launch of the 15-year Seqota Declaration in 2015, beginning with communities most affected by malnutrition before expanding to about half of the country.
He also welcomed progress on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement signed by both countries, called for the convening of the Nigeria-Ethiopia Joint Commission, and commended growing private-sector cooperation, including the Dangote Group’s investment in Ethiopia.
Nigeria’s Commitment
Responding, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Ethiopia, saying both countries have a responsibility to leverage their population, resources and strategic positions for Africa’s development.
He commended Ethiopia’s progress in agriculture and domestic value addition, while stressing the need for stronger intra-African investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
VP Shettima also assured Ethiopia of Nigeria’s commitment to the Joint Commission framework and said both countries should expand cooperation in investment, agriculture, economic development and security.
He said that with global growth increasingly shifting towards Africa and the continent blessed with a young population, Nigeria and Ethiopia must provide the leadership required to unlock Africa’s enormous potential.
Members of the Nigerian delegation included the Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi; Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Dauda Lawal; Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke; and Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev; and the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji-Alausa, among others.
