Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday urged Nigerians living abroad, particularly those in the United States, to support the Federal Government’s efforts to transform Nigeria’s economy.
Shettima made the call while addressing Nigerians in the Diaspora in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, UNGA.
The engagement focused on Diaspora participation in national development, investment, skills transfer and the promotion of Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests.
Shettima said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was repositioning the economy through reforms in education, health, science and technology, and agriculture.
He said the government would continue to draw on the knowledge and expertise of Nigerians in the Diaspora, describing the community as “the greatest resource of the future”.
“Citizens of our country have the capacity and intellect to harness our nation’s potentials and take it to greater heights,” he said.
The Vice President said Tinubu had taken difficult decisions since assuming office instead of blaming his predecessor for the country’s challenges.
He said the reforms were yielding results, citing gtth in foreign reserves and the economy.
Shettima said Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen from 3.9 billion dollars to more than 55 billion dollars, while the economy recorded 4.45 per cent growth in the last quarter.
He said improved exchange-rate conditions and higher foreign reserves would help protect Diaspora remittances, promote exchange-rate stability and support investments by Nigerians abroad.
The Vice President said the administration was working to redefine modern governance and position Nigeria to benefit from emerging global economic opportunities.
Also Read: UNGA: Nigeria ‘ll be guided by national interest -Shettima
“We are working day and night to reposition the Nigerian nation as investment confidence is returning to Nigeria, and the Dangote Refinery success story is a true manifestation in recent times,” he said.
Shettima assured Nigerians abroad that the country was open for business and on a path of sustained growth.
On education, he said more than 1.29 million students in tertiary institutions had accessed N125 billion through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) since its inception.
Shettima also addressed Nigeria’s security challenges, saying the government was deploying available resources to tackle emerging threats.
He urged Nigerians to promote national unity and work together for the country’s progress and prosperity.
“Whatever binds us together supersedes whatever divides us as a people,” he said.
Shettima was accompanied by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara.
Others included Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, among others.
NAN
