Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, on Monday, reaffirmed Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional peace and stability.
Mr Shettima gave the assurance during the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of President Alassane Ouattara for another term in office as president of Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan.
The presidential inauguration brought together West African leaders and international dignitaries in Abidjan.
Mr Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, conveyed the warm congratulations of the Nigerian leader to Ouattara on his swearing-in.
The vice-president expressed confidence in Mr Ouattara’s continued leadership and wished him success in his new mandate.
Mr Shettima also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening the strong partnership between both nations and working together to advance peace, stability, security, and prosperity across the West African region.
The vice-president noted that both countries will further strengthen their economic ties through agriculture and trade relations.
Earlier in his inaugural address, Mr Ouattara thanked all visiting leaders who came to show solidarity and friendship with the Ivorians.
He promised to continue to work for the well-being of his citizens and engage more robustly in diplomatic relations for mutual benefits.
Other leaders who attended the event include the Presidents of South Africa, Liberia, Senegal, Gambia, Angola, Ghana, amongst others, and former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan.
The U.S. was represented by a presidential delegation led by Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Jacob Helberg. High-level personalities and delegates from ECOWAS and other nations also graced the occasion.
Meanwhile, the World Bank has applauded the reform policies of the administration of Mr Tinubu, pledging to heighten its partnership with the nation on energy, job creation and gender empowerment initiatives.
The global financial institution stated this on Monday in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, when Mr Shettima received in audience the managing director, operations, of the World Bank Group, Anna Bjerde.
The meeting held on the sidelines of the presidential inauguration.
Mr Shettima told Ms Bjerde that Mr Tinubu’s administration, from inception, had to contend with the negative impact of the oil subsidy regime on the economic growth of the country.
The vice-president outlined the positive results of the administration’s bold reforms.
The VP further told the World Bank director that the ongoing tax reforms of the Tinubu administration have yielded positive results, saying, “we have crossed the Rubicon.”
He pointed out that though the impact of the reforms may have been painful at the initial stage, it has started showing dividends.
Mr Shettima also said in order 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 being supportive to Nigeria.
Ms Bjerde commended Nigeria for taking pragmatic initiatives to position the country on the right path.
She noted that the World Bank is willing to partner more on energy. She said, “First, on energy, we’re stepping up on several possibilities to ensure that about four million people are connected.”
Ms Bjerde also revealed that her group will encourage and enhance upliftment and education of the girl-child in Nigeria.
(NAN)
