Shettima: Ifeanyi Ubah’s free spirit pulled down political, ethnic barriers

Vice President Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM today joined his former colleagues at the Senate in paying glowing tributes to the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, saying the free spirit of the late lawmaker who passed on earlier in the year, broke down political and ethnic barriers. Shettima’s tributes followed the valedictory session held at the Senate Chambers in honour of the late senator whilst his remains were laid at the foyer of the White House Wing of the chambers. Reading his tribute during a valedictory session on Tuesday, the Vice President described the late Senator Ubah as “the youngest member of the 9th Senate and one of its brightest stars, whose age belied his political dexterity and grassroot affiliation. “His bridge-building capacity elevated his political journey beyond older and more established giants in the arena and he was easily on his way to bigger conquests when the lord called him home,” Senator Shettima noted. Recalling one of his encounters with the late Anambra-born Senator, while serving as Governor of Borno State, the VP recalled that Senator Ubah’s generosity “knew no bounds and his free spirit broke down political and ethnic barriers”. While condoling the family, friends and associates of the late lawmaker, the Vice President reminded the gathering that “death is an inevitable destiny that is hanging on everyone’s neck,” adding that “we are travelers on our journeys home, from God to God.” Earlier in his remarks, the Senate President @SPNigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio announced that the day had been set aside to honour the life and time of Senator Ubah, drawing the attention of Senators to their departed colleague’s seat adorned with the Nigerian flag and four symbolic candles as a mark of respect. Senator Akpabio described the late businessman from Otolo, Nnewi North, Anambra State as a visionary leader with extraordinary empathy for all and a champion for economic empowerment and community development. The Senate President said the death of Senator Ubah has created a huge deficit in the political terrain of the country, regretting that the vacuum created will be difficult to fill. Senators took turns during the valedictory session to pay tributes to their departed colleague, praying God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

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Shettima embarks on 2-day visit to Sweden

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, will depart Abuja for Sweden on a 2-day visit to represent Nigeria in bilateral engagements with the Scandinavian nation. At the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Vice President, during the working visit, will engage in high-level bilateral talks with key government officials, including a meeting with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and the Swedish Prime Minister. Senator Shettima will use the visit to explore opportunities for strengthened collaboration between Nigeria and Sweden in areas such as ICT, innovation, education, digitalisation, sustainable transport, mining, and agriculture. He will also meet with key stakeholders in both the Government and Private Sector. The Vice President will also meet with Norrsken, a Stockholm-based venture capital impact investor, which recently launched Norrsken22, a USD 205 million tech investment fund for Africa. Norrsken22 is a technology growth fund, backed by over 30 prominent unicorn founders, partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs building Africa’s next tech giants. The meeting with Norrsken will provide insights into how Nigerian entrepreneurs can benefit from this fund and further strengthen the technology ecosystem in Nigeria. Notably, 40% of the investments from Norrsken22 are expected to be allocated to Nigerian technology entrepreneurs. Twelve (12) Nigerian private sector companies that are doing business with Sweden are going independently as a private sector bloc. While in Sweden, VP Shettima is also expected to articulate Nigeria’s economic vision and the reforms being undertaken by the administration to create a business-friendly environment in Nigeria for investors. The myriad of opportunities that abound in Africa’s largest economy will also be showcased. The Vice President is expected back in the country on Saturday.

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Shettima returns to Nigeria after UNGA in New York

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday returned to Abuja after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the just concluded 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. The Vice President, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, had presented Nigeria’s National Statement at the General Debate, as well as engaged in several bilateral meetings and numerous sideline events at the General Assembly. He will proceed to join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mark some events put together as part of activities commemorating Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary.

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79th UNGA: US Chamber Of Commerce commits $320m to Mortgage Financing, SMEs, Others in Nigeria

Nigeria’s participation at the 79th Session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly  (#UNGA79) recorded the first success on Monday, as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment towards mortgage refinancing and women empowerment received the support of the United States Chamber of Commerce @USChamber with a commitment of about $320 million. This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is leading the federal government delegation and representing President Tinubu at this year’s UNGA, has met with other members of Nigeria’s delegation to strategise on Nigeria’s engagements in New York.  At a US-Nigeria Executive Business Roundtable hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, Nisha Biswal of the American International Development Finance Corporation announced that with a portfolio of  $1 billion, it was investing $200 million in mortgage refinancing in Nigeria. The sum of $100 million has been earmarked for FCMB to finance SMEs in Nigeria, with particular interest in women empowerment.  The US Chamber of Commerce also announced that $20 million has been approved for a firm, Robust International, for processing of cashew nuts in Nigeria. Biswal said the American Chamber remained committed to working with Nigerians in the development and pursuit of sustainable economic policies.  Appreciating the gesture of the group, Vice President Shettima reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to investor-friendly policies. He stated: “I urge you to give Nigeria the benefit of the doubt. The current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the most investor-friendly administration in the history of Nigeria. When fuel subsidy was an albatross around Nigeria’s neck, President Tinubu, from day one, hit the ground running by withdrawing the fuel subsidy and unifying the multiple opaque foreign exchange markets.” Earlier on Monday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar @YusufTuggar, led other members to brief the Vice President on the activities and itinerary lined up for him in New York. Tuggar outlined the programmes and activities, saying the Vice President is expected to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national statement at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.  Apart from President Tinubu’s national statement delivery, Vice President Kashim Shettima is also expected to meet with the Secretary General of the United Nations.  Aside other heads of states lined up to meet with the Vice President, there are also scheduled meetings with the head of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States; the President of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Director General of the International Atomic Agency, and multinational companies, among others. Also on the itinerary of the Vice President is a meeting with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and a host of other international partners.  Top Nigerian officials present at the meeting included the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani; Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite. Others are Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake; Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako; Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed, among many others.

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Shettima to represent Tinubu at 79th UN General Assembly 

President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year. The President, according to a statement signed by Special Adviser  on Information & Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation. President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding. At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings. The high-level General Debate, with the theme “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,” will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024.

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