• Govt promises better deal in seconds year
• Nigeria has witnessed remarkable progress under Tinubu, says UN
• We’re impressed by security strategies – UK
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is a transformative policy thrust aimed at repositioning Nigeria as a prime global investment destination.
He said with the agenda hinged on the core pillars of democracy, development, demographics and Diaspora engagement, the current moment serves as the opportune time to remind both Nigerians and the global community that Nigeria stands ready to embrace the future and conduct business.
Speaking yesterday during a high-level dialogue on delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda in Abuja, held with the theme, ‘Nigeria’s Global Ambitions: From Hope to Reality’, Shettima outlined the administration’s ambitious roadmap, harping on President Tinubu’s commitment to bold reforms and strategic partnerships to revive the nation’s economy and enhance security.
He said: “Our reason for this gathering is less about the certainty of our vision for this nation. This has never been in doubt. We are here because of our place in a world of opportunities – a world that can’t afford to neglect or underestimate our place.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a policy framework; it is a statement of commitment, a covenant between us and the people.”
Shettima pointed out that at the heart of the administration’s foreign policy approach, dubbed the ‘Tinubu Doctrine’, is a ‘4-D Diplomacy Strategy’ centred on promoting democracy, driving economic development, harnessing Nigeria’s demographic potential and engaging with the Diaspora community.
He lauded the vital role of Nigerians in the Diaspora, who contributed over $168 billion in remittances between 2015 and 2022, surpassing Overseas Development Assistance.
“This is further evidenced by the recently announced $10 billion Diaspora Fund – a multi-sectoral investment initiative set to be launched soon and expected to strengthen ties with our Diaspora community while boosting forex inflows to support our national development plans,” the Vice President said.
Shettima also highlighted President Tinubu’s interventions on the economy, including a ₦75 billion investment initiative to revolutionise the manufacturing sector and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund to facilitate effective infrastructure development across key economic sectors.
On security challenges, Shettima affirmed the administration’s commitment to guaranteeing the safety of lives and properties through regional and national interventions.
He extended an invitation to international partners, emphasising the need for collaboration in the post-COVID-19 era, saying, “this is the time to partner for democracy, for development, for peace and for security.”
Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged citizens to gear up for a better Nigeria as programmes enunciated by the administration to impact on the citizens begin to materialise.
Idris declared that “things will get better in Nigeria.”
Joined by other ministers and foreign partners during the dialogue, he said that “a lot of the work that was put in during the last 12 months is just now crystallising into reality.”
He cited the Consumer Credit Corporation, Nigeria Education Loan Fund, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, the Presidential Grant and Loan Scheme, agriculture efforts (Dry Season Farming, Fertilizer Distribution), Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, Electricity Sector Reforms, Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms, National Minimum Wage Negotiations, among others, as some of the policies and programmes that would directly touch and improve the lives of Nigerians.
“All of these will go a long way to bring prices down, reduce the cost of doing business, put more money into the pockets of Nigerians, bring more electricity into our homes and industries, spur domestic and foreign investment, and push the country further on the path to true and lasting prosperity,” he said.
The Minister expressed confidence that the administration’s engagement with Nigerians at home and abroad, regarding its programmes, prioritising truth and impact in the second year will bring succour to the people.
“I am indeed very optimistic about what this second year that we are going into will bring, and I invite you all to share in this enthusiasm,” he said.
Also, the United Nations (UN) acknowledged that there had been remarkable progress in Nigeria under the Tinubu administration in the last one year following the reforms targeted at stabilising the economy and tackling insecurity.
UN Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, who gave the global body’s position via a virtual presentation, said: “Over the past one year, Nigeria has witnessed progress from the reforms introduced by this administration to stabilise the economy. And we can see that the country, creditably, has improved. The Nigerian government has also been proactive in addressing security challenges in the country and the sub-regions as demonstrated by the hosting of an African counter-terrorism meeting last month.
“There have also been other notable initiatives such as the nationwide digital literacy programme and the expansion of the broadband infrastructure to bridge the digital divide and empower our people in this digital age.”
In his goodwill message, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, expressed the United Kingdom’s satisfaction with the security strategies put in place by President Tinubu, even as he restated the support of the UK government for the Nigerian government in this direction, including transparency and accountability in governance.
“I’d like to use this opportunity to express the whole lot of support of my government to the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu. We commend his agenda for its focus on priorities and delivery. We acknowledge that you have done a lot to put in place transparency and accountability.”
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, underscored the importance of the efforts towards advancing Nigeria’s economic agenda under President Tinubu.
She stated that the gathering, initiated by the Office of the Vice President, highlights the role of the international corporation in delivering the remarkable goals of the President’s laudable Renewed Hope Agenda.
On his part, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, said the past one year of President Tinubu in office had been successful despite the challenges being encountered, assuring that the government would indeed renew the hope of Nigerians.
Noting the importance of international cooperation, Bagudu said: “It is rooted in our constitution; it is rooted in our development plans and it is rooted in our Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Not surprisingly, Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, over the last one year, have engaged globally and locally with institutions that represent development partnership, multilateral institutions and bilateral institutions, consistent with our development agenda.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, represented by Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Cooperation, Mr. Dapo Oyewole, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to long-lasting partnership with the global community.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy will continue to accommodate the interests of all Nigerians and ensure mutual and beneficial partnerships with all nations,” Oyewole said.
Oyewole added that Nigeria would continue to work to unlock all hidden economic treasures in the country.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said the event marked a critical reflection point for all who have explored optimally to harness international corporations in achieving the noble goals of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the Bank of Industry has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of strategic partnership in driving economic growth and fostering inclusive development under the Tinubu administration.
Also in attendance were Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye; European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Amb. Samuel Isopi; Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination and Head of Central Delivery Unit, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua, among other senior officials.
