Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those living in the United States of America, to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu in transforming the economic fortunes of the country.
The vice president stated this at the Nigeria House in New York during an interactive session with the Nigerian diaspora community in the United States. 
He said the administration was doing its best to reposition the economy, particularly in the areas of education, health, science and technology, and agriculture, and would leverage the intellect of the diaspora community, which he described as the greatest resource of the future.
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“Citizens of our country have the capacity and intellect to harness our nation’s potential and take it to greater heights,” the VP stated.
Reforms
Speaking on some of the reforms undertaken by the current administration, the Vice President said President Tinubu has been courageous from the onset, and bold decisions have continued to reposition the economy.
His words: “When President Tinubu assumed office, he did not resort to trading blame and accusing his predecessor for the state of affairs of our nation. Rather, he took decisions that only a leader of courage and conviction would take.”
He, however, stated that the gains of the reforms undertaken were already yielding tangible results, as evident in the increase in the country’s foreign reserves from 3.9 billion dollars to over 55 billion dollars and the 4.45 per cent growth in the last quarter.
VP Shettima added that the improvements recorded in the exchange rate and foreign reserves on account of the reforms would guarantee the safety of diaspora remittances, stability of the exchange rate and investments made by Nigerians in the diaspora.
He further stated that the administration of President Tinubu was determined to redefine the meaning of modern governance because the trajectory of global growth was facing Africa and that Nigeria has a big role to play in the emerging era.
“Be assured that beyond the negative stories that you hear and see on social media, Nigeria is open for business. We have crossed the Rubicon, and we are on the path of sustained growth,” he said.
VP Shettima also spoke about the introduction of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, where over 1.29 million Nigerian students in tertiary institutions have had access to N125 billion since the inception of the programme.
Security
On security challenges, the Vice President said that, though it is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, the administration was deploying all the means at its disposal to contain emerging challenges. 
He also urged concerned citizens to strive for a united and prosperous nation, noting that Nigerians must unite for the progress of their country, stating that “whatever binds us together supersedes whatever divides us as a people.”
Also present at the event were Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno State; Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara; Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers; Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; and spouses of the governors of Kwara, Katsina, Abia and Osun states.

