Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for strengthened cooperation between Nigeria and Tanzania.
Shettima stated this on Tuesday when he received former Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He noted that shared aspirations for continental growth and unity
between both countries has become necessary since Nigeria shares historic ties with the East African country, particularly in their roles as frontline states in the fight against apartheid and colonialism.
According to the vice president, “Tanzania is one of Africa’s success stories. From Julius Nyerere to Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country has been blessed with exceptional leaders. Tanzania stands as a beacon of hope and stability in East Africa”.
In this vein, he said it is important to foster stronger economic and social ties between the two nations, especially within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
Shettima, who lauded the Tanzanian government’s support for Nigerian businesses in that country, citing companies like United Bank for Africa, Guarantee Trust Bank, Dangote among many others, said with the discovery of significant gas reserves, Tanzania is on the fast track to development. If key African nations like Nigeria and Tanzania succeed, the entire continent will benefit.
Earlier, former President Kikwete, who was in Nigeria for the National Defence College’s convocation ceremony, expressed the readiness of his country to strengthen business and diplomatic ties with Nigeria, adding that “we value the friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Tanzania and are committed to strengthening it further”.
Kikwete acknowledged the role of the Nigerian National Defence College in training Tanzanian military personnel, expressing optimism for deeper ties in defense, trade and diplomacy.
Both leaders stressed the importance of revisiting agreements and scaling up bilateral relations in the spirit of African solidarity.
The meeting had in attendance the Acting Tanzanian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mrs Judica Nagunwa; Director of National and Geo-political Affairs, NDC, Ambassador Akin Oyateru, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Baba Mohammed, and Private Secretary, Office of the former President of Tanzania, Medard Ngaiza.
