Nigeria assures Colombia of immediate implementation of bilateral agreements
Abdullateef Fowewe
President Bola Tinubu has restated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships and aligning its foreign policy with emerging global trends in trade, politics, and culture.
Receiving the Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez, and her delegation at the State House in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu said shifting international policies and global economic volatility necessitate forging new alliances for shared prosperity.
Tinubu in a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, assured that Nigeria would replicate with Colombia the agreements it had signed with Brazil on aviation and consular matters.
He said all agreements reached under the supervision of Vice President Kashim Shettima would be promptly implemented.
The statement says, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships and aligning its foreign relations with evolving global trends in trade, politics, and culture.
“The President, who received the Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Francia Márquez, at the State House in Abuja on Monday, noted that global economic volatility and shifting international policies will necessitate new partners for shared prosperity.
“President Tinubu assured the delegation of senior government, business, and diplomatic officials from the South American country that Nigeria will replicate the agreements signed with Brazil on aviation and consular issues with Colombia.
“The President stated that the conclusions of all the bilateral meetings and the agreements signed, under the supervision of the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, will receive speedy attention.”
Tinubu was quoted saying, “I believe the Vice President and his team have done the job. Our business opportunities with Colombia have already been enhanced. I support every aspect that you have agreed on.
“Particularly for Colombia, the agreement we entered with Brazil can easily be replicated in aviation, and our diplomatic relations can be enhanced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accelerate that.”
President Tinubu urged the business leaders to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and agriculture.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s youthful and growing population presents a good market and a skilled workforce to bolster investments.
“Vice President Shettima remarked that the visit from the Colombian Vice President would rekindle ancestral connections disrupted by slavery and colonialism, positioning both nations for a prosperous partnership. He highlighted the political and cultural similarities that will foster healthy economic collaboration,” said Onanuga.
Present at the meeting were Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Coordinating Minister of Finance and Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
