Vice President Kashim Shettima has witnessed the inauguration and swearing-in of President Alassane Ouattara for another term in office as President of Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan, where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional peace and stability.
At the presidential inauguration, which brought together West African leaders and international dignitaries, VP Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, conveyed his warm congratulations to President Ouattara on his swearing-in.
The inauguration took place at the Presidential Palace, where President Ouattara took the oath of office, pledging “to prioritise national reconciliation and economic stability as he begins another term leading the West African nation.”
The Vice President expressed confidence in President Ouattara’s continued leadership and wished him success in his new mandate.
VP Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment “to deepening the strong partnership between the two nations and working together to advance peace, stability, security, and prosperity across the West African region.”
Economic ties
He noted that both countries would further strengthen their economic ties through agriculture and trade relations.
In his inaugural address, President Ouattara thanked all visiting leaders for showing solidarity and friendship with the Ivoirians, promising to continue working for the well-being of his citizens and engage more robustly in diplomatic relations for mutual benefit.
Other leaders in attendance included the Presidents of South Africa, Liberia, Senegal, Gambia, Angola, Ghana, among others, and former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
The United States was represented by a Presidential Delegation led by Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Jacob Helberg. High-level delegates from ECOWAS and other nations also graced the occasion.
Commendation
Meanwhile, the World Bank has applauded the reform policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, pledging to heighten its partnership with Nigeria on energy, job creation, and gender empowerment initiatives.
The global financial institution stated this in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, when Vice President Shettima received in audience the Managing Director, Operations, of the World Bank Group, Ms. Anna Bjerde, on the sidelines of the presidential inauguration.
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He told Ms. Bjerde that the Tinubu administration, from inception, had to contend with the negative impact of the oil subsidy regime on Nigeria’s economic growth, while also outlining the positive results of the government’s bold reforms.
The Vice President further stated that ongoing tax reforms of the Tinubu administration have yielded positive results, saying, “We have crossed the Rubicon.”
He explained that while the impact of the reforms may have been painful initially, they are beginning to show dividends. To turn the demographic bulge into demographic dividends, the administration is focusing on gender empowerment initiatives, investments in the digital economy, and agriculture for enhanced productivity.
The Vice President commended the World Bank team for its support to Nigeria.
Earlier, the Managing Director, Operations, of the World Bank Group, Ms. Bjerde, commended Nigeria for taking pragmatic initiatives to position the country on the right path.
Noting the World Bank’s willingness to partner further on energy, she said, “First, on energy, we’re stepping up on a number of possibilities to ensure that about four million people are connected.”
Ms. Bjerde also revealed that her group will encourage and enhance the upliftment and education of the girl-child in Nigeria.