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Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Shettima calls for EU-Africa collaboration to deliver transformative impact
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the European Union (EU) and African nations to deepen their strategic partnership and harness their collective potential for transformative development across the continent. Speaking on Thursday at the Presidential Villa during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the EU led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Shettima described the EU as Nigeria's 'natural partner' and stressed the need to move beyond promises to tangible outcomes in areas such as infrastructure, trade, education, and digital inclusion. Shettima said, 'Our expectations as Nigerians and as Africans are clear. We want this partnership to graduate from well-meaning commitments to transformative outcomes. We want more joint ventures, deeper trade facilitation under the AfCFTA, and irreversible investments in energy, education and digital inclusion.' He reiterated Nigeria's commitment to leveraging the EU's Global Gateway initiative to fast-track priority projects such as high-speed rail, renewable energy infrastructure, port modernisation, and vocational training centres. 'The EU are our natural allies. I am guided by logic and rationality, not sentiment. We see this relationship as long-term and strategic. 'We hope to see the EU move from being a donor to being a co-creator of African prosperity. We really want to be partners, not just aid recipients,' he said, while advocating for a shift from donor-recipient dynamics to a model of co-creation and shared prosperity. Shettima also highlighted the shared values between Nigeria and the EU, including democratic governance, freedom of worship, gender empowerment, and climate resilience. On the African Union (AU), the Vice President commended the current leadership of the AU Commission for reinvigorating the institution's vision, noting, 'They are poised to reposition Africa not just as a subject of global discussion, but as a co-author of the world's next chapter.' In his remarks, Ambassador Mignot emphasized the long-standing and deep-rooted relationship between the EU and Africa, which he said is celebrating 25 years of strong bilateral cooperation. 'The EU is Africa's first trading partner, first investor, first provider of development aid, and first humanitarian donor,' Mignot noted. 'Our foreign direct investment in Africa reached €309 billion in 2022—more than the U.S. and China combined.' The Ambassador said the visit was also to review the progress of the Joint Vision for 2030, a framework agreed at the 2022 AU-EU Summit, which aligns with Africa's Agenda 2063 and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In a separate engagement on Thursday, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to sustaining the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and Zambia. He gave the assurance while receiving Dr. Samuel Miambo, Special Envoy of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who delivered a personal message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Describing Nigeria and Zambia as 'fraternal nations,' Shettima lauded Zambia's contributions to the liberation struggles of southern Africa and its continued democratic stability. He assured of Nigeria's support for Zambia in its efforts to improve governance and the lives of its citizens. Dr. Miambo, on his part, sought Nigeria's backing for his candidacy for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB), outlining a vision focused on energy security, infrastructure development, and the establishment of an African Centre of Excellence for Energy in Nigeria. He said Nigeria's leadership role on the continent would be pivotal to the success of such a candidacy. The envoy was accompanied by Zambia's High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador George Imbuwa, and senior advisers to the Zambian president, Mr. Manfred Ndonuie and Mrs. Elita Mwambazi.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Nigeria: Sokoto govt hosts EU-funded projects to boost health, others
In a historic stride toward sustainable development, Sokoto State Government on Monday, 5th May 2025, launched three major projects funded by the European Union (EU), aimed at transforming healthcare delivery, social protection, and humanitarian support across the state. The launch event, held in the state capital, was attended by a high-level EU delegation under the 'Team Europe' initiative, comprising representatives from nine member states. It marked the first such collective visit by the EU since Ambassador Thomas arrived in Nigeria and assumed office earlier this year. Speaking at the event, the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, expressed deep gratitude to the EU for selecting Sokoto as a beneficiary of the three transformative programmes, 'Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH), Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI), and Support for Protection, Assistance, and Durable Solutions. 'These initiatives are timely and perfectly aligned with our administration's 9-Point Smart Innovative Agenda, particularly in healthcare, social welfare, and protection of the vulnerable,' Governor Aliyu state' He reaffirmed his government's commitment to free healthcare for women and children, renovation of healthcare centres, improved immunization coverage, and the fight against polio. On the SUSI programme, the Governor noted the state's achievements in social intervention, including food distribution to the physically challenged, the needy, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). He also announced the creation of a dedicated department for IDPs and plans for permanent shelter facilities to improve their living conditions. In addition, the Governor highlighted youth empowerment initiatives, including skills acquisition programmes and the establishment of a Ministry of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship. 'We are committed to building a self-reliant and economically productive youth population,' he said. In his address, the head of EU delegation to Nigeria and West Africa, Gautier Mignot, emphasized the significance of the visit, which coincides with Europe Day celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of European integration. 'We are deeply honored to begin our Europe Month activities here in Sokoto. This visit is important for us to strengthen our partnership with the state and support development efforts across the Northwest region,' he said. Ambassador Mignot lauded the cooperation of the Sokoto State Government and acknowledged the efforts of implementing partners such as UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Danish Refugee Council in preparing the projects. The EU delegation's agenda includes engagements with traditional and religious leaders, academia, civil society, and security forces, and field visits to existing EU-supported projects across the state. The launch represents a significant milestone in Sokoto and other beneficiaries' state journey toward inclusive development and is expected to bolster the quality of life for its citizens through sustainable and impactful partnerships. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
