By UZOCHUKWU MADUIKE, UCHE ONYEALI , ABUJA
President Bola Tinubu will on Sunday, November 17, depart for Brazil for the 19th G-20 Summit holding in the city of Rio de Generio, Brazil.
The President was invited, AljazirahNigeria exclusively learnt, by his friend the President of Brazil , Lula Da Silva, who is hosting the G-20 Summit, a two-day annual event from November 17 to 18.
AljazirahNigeria also gathered that President Tinubu before leaving for Brazil will receive the Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi at the State House, Abuja, this weekend on a two-day bilateral visit.
The Indian Prime Minister’s visit will be the first of its kind to the resource-rich African country and the largest black nation in 17 years, an impeccable sources in the Villa and that of the Indian High Commission confirmed.
Importantly, Tinubu will likely be given the chance to address the G-20 Summit on Nigeria’s positions towards various issues of global importance.
The Nigerian leader is also expected to leverage on the auspicious opportunity as always to talk with some leaders and as well discuss investments and possibly sign bilateral agreements with some members of the G-20 and other invited heads of government.
AljazirahNigeria further learnt that Tinubu is not leaving any stone unturned, hence he honours very important invitations and gatherings that will improve the fortunes and growth of the nation.
Recall that the President had just returned from Riyad, Saudi Arabia, where he attended the Arab-Islamic Summit on the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, where he was given the opportunity to address some global pressing issues, including the Israel-Palestine Conflict, as well as foreign investment with some member-states of the OIC.
Meanwhile, the Indian Prime Minister’s visit is scheduled to hold from November 16 to 17, on the invitation of President Tinubu, our source revealed.
During the visit, according to presidential sources, the Prime Minister will hold talks on the review of strategic partnership between India and Nigeria.
“The two leaders will discuss further avenues to enhance bilateral relationship between the two countries,” the sources disclosed.
India and Brazil are members of the G-20 Summit, with the Asian country holding the position of the last president of the Summit in November 2023.
For the Nigerian president, the G-20 invitation must be honoured owing to its importance in building relationships with developed and emerging nations, especially the BRICS nation’s.
This is President Tinubu’s 94th time to travel outside the country to boost Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, with the aim of pulling the country out of its economic woes.
On February 18 this year, President Tinubu met with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and had fruitful discussions on comprehensive strengthening of bilateral ties in all economic sectors.
A statement by the then media spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said the Nigerian leader at the meeting emphasised the strength of the country’s economic potential and influence, noting that Nigeria was witnessing a leap forward notwithstanding some short-term reform pains.
The president, who noted that his administration was removing all encumbrances to business, further explained that his government was investing in critical sectors of the economy such as healthcare, education and agriculture to ensure the welfare of all Nigerian citizens and to create sustainable economic prosperity for future generations.
According to him, “We have a very vibrant population of young Nigerians who are trainable, dependable, and should be empowered. The economic potential of Nigeria is enormous. We are ready to break all the walls standing in our way to progress.
“We are ready to fight corruption from top to bottom. We are ready to invest in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and others. I have one of the most dedicated teams on agriculture.”
Assessing Nigeria’s natural and human resource wealth in relation to that of Brazil, President Lula said Africa’s largest economy and South America’s largest economy had a long and interesting history together.
He said Nigeria and Brazil once had a trade volume of more than $10 billion in the past, which had now plummeted to $1.6 billion, promising to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria.
“I am back to try to restore; to reclaim our good relations with Nigeria. I can not imagine that a country of 216 million people and another of 213 million people do not have strong relations.
“Mr. President, I am 78 years old. You are 71. What keeps me energetic is that I fight for a cause. The cause of my nation and people. A great cause is the elixir of sustained vitality for experienced leaders.
“Nigeria and Brazil need stronger relations from the academic viewpoint; from the cultural viewpoint; from the commercial viewpoint; from the agricultural viewpoint; from the industrial relations viewpoint, and from trade relations viewpoint.
“It is meaningless that there are no direct flights from Lagos to Sao Paulo and vice versa. I cannot understand that. We have to sit at a table and find a solution for that. In aviation, there are many areas of potential collaboration with our manufacturers who seek to have a greater presence in Africa.
“I only have three more years left of my term, Your Excellency, to do everything I have not done yet. The time is very short. I am in a hurry to make my contributions to improve these relations with Nigeria. To make this happen, we have to put our ministers to work,” the Brazilian leader said.
Identifying solid mineral exploration, agriculture, education and healthcare as areas of immediate concern, President Tinubu emphasised that the will of the two leaders to collaborate is firmly established.
“I agree that our countries must now have direct air links. I will form a committee of cabinet members who will work directly with your cabinet ministers, and they will urgently form a joint plan of action for the benefit of our two great countries. We may have missed opportunities in the past, but we now look ahead.
“Brazil and Nigeria share similarities. Let us forget old mistakes. The phenomenal growth achieved by Brazil in agriculture is exemplary. We will work with you to mechanise our food production systems to enhance quality and quantity of output. I will work with you to re-energise Nigeria’s relations with Brazil across the board,” Tinubu stated.
The two leaders agreed to work out modalities for a state visit to Brazil by President Tinubu after President Lula extended an invitation, which the Nigerian leader warmly accepted.
In his visit on Sunday, according to presidency sources, Tinubu is expected to draw investments and strengthen foreign policies with Brazil.
The G-20 Summit is scheduled for November 18 to 19, 2024.
The President will conclude the Summit by having in audience with Nigerians living in Rio de Generio before returning to Abuja.
