Vice President Yomi Osinbajo, on Tuesday called on Nicaragua to support Nigeria’s export drive for non-oil products, especially agricultural products
Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday when he received at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nicaraguan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Denis Moncada Colindres, and the Minister for Special Delegation of the President for Africa, Middle East and Arab, Mohamed Farrara Lashtar.
Osinbajo noted Nigeria was well into the process of diversifying its economy, with emphasis on sectors such as agriculture, mining, solid minerals and manufacturing
“We are also interested in expanding our own reach in terms of trade and exports, especially the export of processed agricultural products”
Osinbjo had received a special message from the President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently on a private visit to the United Kingdom.
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The Vice President noted that Nigeria and the Republic of Nicaragua share the same view on the need to strengthen existing bilateral relations and expand economic ties.
Noting the efforts of the Nicaraguan President on the country’s economy, the Vice President stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria regarded its relations with Nicaragua as valuable, adding that both countries should explore all areas of cooperation for improved relations.
“We are in the process of diversifying our economy, from dependence on oil. Now, we are diversifying into different fields: agriculture, agri-business, mining, solid minerals, manufacturing, technology and innovation.
“We are also diversifying our power sources, and developing our capacity in renewable energy. Recently, we commissioned (in Kano State) the largest solar hybrid power plant in Africa,” he said.
The VP added that building an inclusive egalitarian society is one of the core pillars of the Buhari administration.
In his remarks, the Special Envoy, Colindres, requested for both countries to collaborate on the supply of Nigeria’s crude oil to Nicaragua, while also seeking Nigeria’s support for Nicaragua in its request for an observer status at the African Union (AU).
“We have already presented a draft cooperation agreement between Nigeria and Nicaragua,” Colindres said.
The Vice President had earlier presided over the 10th board meeting of the National Boundary Commission
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, among other senior government officials.
