Senator Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s Vice President, has given Nigerians, particularly those residing in Russia, his assurance that the country will be restored under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
The Vice President provided the reassurance during a forum with members of the Nigerian community in Russia in St. Petersburg, late Friday evening.
According to a statement by his media office, Sen. Shettima, who was addressing concerns raised by members of the Nigerian community, said: “be rest assured that in the next 9 to 12 months there will be a swift change in the fortunes of Nigeria, I’m talking with all sense of certainty and responsibility because I believe in the capacity and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Speaking on the efforts of the administration to reposition the economy, the VP said: “we are here for the Africa-Russia Summit, but we are also here fundamentally to pursue the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and revival of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON).
“It’s going to be a game changer. Having a vibrant steel industry is a sine qua non for the industrial take off of any nation. I can bet you, I can promise you that the President will bring Ajaokuta to a reality.
“Be rest assured that if there is one legacy that President Tinubu would bequeath to fellow Nigerians, Ajaokuta is one. I’ll come back to Russia, we are going to drive this process, and my leader, my boss and principal – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is irrevocably committed to Ajaokuta and to ALSCON.
“We have begun the discussion, and we will see to it that these two companies take off, we have no option than to bring them to reality,” Vice President Shettima emphasised.
Speaking further about the prospects for Nigeria’s transformation, the VP said the Tinubu administration will harness the vast human and material resources to put the country on the path of sustainable development and growth.
According to him, “this is the land of opportunities, we have the landmass and vibrant youth population. By 2035, there will be 65 million talent deficit in the world, America, Russia, Brazil will all suffer 6 million talent deficit. And Nigeria with a vibrant young population will be expected to fill the gap.
“So, opportunities abound in the digital space. Our target is to train 1,000,000 Nigerians on digital skills.”
The Vice President expressed confidence in the capacity of President Tinubu to transform Nigeria, noting that ”the President passionately believes in the Nigeria project,” and that his emergence as leader of the nation “did not happen by chance.”
Citing examples of President Tinubu’s sterling performance as Lagos State Governor, Sen. Shettima said the President has shown “the propensity to inspire development across all sectors, and he has also shown the zeal, passion as well as the commitment to transform Nigeria.”
He then commended the conduct of leaders and members of the Nigerian community in Russia, stating that “the maturity exhibited by Nigerians living in Russia is an understatement, and I must confess that I am impressed by the Ambassador’s impressive achievements.”
Representatives of the Nigerian community in separate remarks commended the initiatives of the Tinubu administration to actively engage with the Russian government to improve relations between Nigeria and Russia.
Present at the forum were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia, Amb. Shehu Abdullahi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr Gabriel Aduda; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs Mary Ogbe; President of Nigerian Community in Russia, Dr Maurice Okoli, and Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO), Russia, Mr Sampson Uwem, among others.
In a related development, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday in St. Petersburg attended the second edition of the Annual Arts Exhibition of the Nigerian Embassy titled “I imagine Nigeria” which showcased art works by young Russian artists.
At the event, the Vice President presented gift prizes to young Russian artists and viewed exhibited artwork.
In a short speech, the Vice President stressed the significance of cultural diplomacy and its ability to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Russia.
