Vice President Kashim Shettima said Monday in Beijing, China, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would lead Nigeria to a new dawn.
Speaking at an interactive session with the Ambassador of Nigeria to China and staff of the Nigerian embassy, the Vice President expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its present challenges.
The Vice President, who is in China to represent the President at the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative being hosted by China, said that the Nigerian leader has outstanding leadership qualities that are worthy of emulation.
“The road that led us to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not happen by chance. This is a man who has shown a precious penchant for aligning himself with the aspirations of the people of Nigeria against all odds.
“He has never been identified with any ethno-religious solidarity but yet known for outstanding leadership qualities and I am telling with all sense of honesty, I have seen the soul of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and he has a clean heart, he means well for the nation and he is willing to work for the nation,” he said.
He enjoined the ambassador and staff of Nigerian Embassy in China to sustain unity among them and to continue to serve as economic ambassadors of Nigeria in China.
Also speaking, the Nigerian Ambassador to China Mr Ahmad Jidda said the visit of the Vice President to China would help boost Nigeria’s ties with China.
“The visit of the Vice President would serve as a giant stride for further cooperation and synergy between Nigeria and China. It will provide an opportunity to explore avenues for collaboration that align with our national development priorities such as industrialization, technology transfer, skill development and digital sustainable growth,” he said.
He said Nigeria and China have a currency swap agreement worth $2.5 billion to boost their commercial ties and reduce the use of dollars in their bilateral trade “thereby, improving the speed, convenience and volume of transaction between the two countries.”
“It will also assist both countries in their foreign reserve management, enhance financial stability and promote broader economic cooperation between the two countries,” the ambassador added.
The Vice President who also interacted with Nigerian students in China, where he encouraged them to continue to work hard, stressed that the President means well for the youth and would not relent in enhancing their wellbeing.
