As a strategic diplomatic move to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between his country and Nigeria, Brazilian Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, arrived Nigeria on Tuesday for the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) summit scheduled to hold in Abuja.
The Brazilian leader, accompanied by his wife, Maria Alckmin, was received on arrival at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
Other government officials that received the delegation are the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; among others.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement on Tuesday indicated that the visit of the Brazilian leader marked the commencement of the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), a platform designed to foster cooperation and unlock new opportunities for growth.
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Nkwocha quoted Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, while speaking at a brief reception organized for Alckmin at the airport as saying that the visit represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s renewed hope agenda.
Hadejia explained that the dialogue mechanism attested to the commitment of both countries to leveraging South-South partnerships to deliver tangible benefits to their citizens.
He said: “This dialogue mechanism represents our commitment to leveraging South-South partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to our citizens.
“Brazil’s expertise in agribusiness, energy transition, and industrial development aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s transformation priorities and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, Hadejia added.
Specifically, the 3-Day Ssummit will focus on several key areas of cooperation among which Defence cooperation is one of the primary areas, where both countries aim to strengthen their bilateral ties in defence and security matters.
The statement partly reads: “This cooperation is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s agricultural sector, leading to increased food production and reduced reliance on imports.
“In addition to defence and agriculture, the summit will also explore opportunities for energy collaboration. This includes cooperation in the energy sector, encompassing renewable energy and energy transition.
“The partnership aims to leverage Brazil’s experience in bioenergy and Nigeria’s growing demand for energy to foster mutually beneficial cooperation. Cultural exchange programmes will also be a key aspect of the cooperation, promoting cultural exchange and understanding between Nigeria and Brazil,” it added.
Experts believe that the decisions taken during the dialogue between the two countries’ political leaders will help to unlock billions in trade deals given Nigeria’s abundant economic and human resources endowments and Brazil’s expertise in areas such as agribusiness and energy transition.
The Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism is established as a key platform for deepening bilateral relations between the two countries, and this summit is a step towards achieving this goal.
The three-day summit will be rounded off with the signing of over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across critical sectors, including defence cooperation, agricultural technology transfer, energy collaboration, and cultural exchange programmes.
Photo Caption
Vice President of Brazil – Geraldo Alckmin (Right) being welcomed on arrival to Nigeria on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, along with some government officials.
