At Ouattara’s Inauguration, Shettima Says Nigeria Devoted to Regional Stability, Peace

•World Bank hails Tinubu’s reforms, pledges more partnership in job creation, energy, others

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, at the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of President Alassane Ouattara for another term as President of Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan, reiterated Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional peace and stability.

This was just as the World Bank, has applauded the reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration, pledging to heighten its partnership with the nation on energy, job creation and gender empowerment initiatives.

At the presidential inauguration that brought together West African leaders and international dignitaries in Abidjan, Shettima who represented President Tinubu also conveyed the warm congratulations of the Nigerian leader to President Ouattara on his swearing-in.

The inauguration took place at the Presidential Palace, where President Ouattara took the oath of office, pledging to prioritise national reconciliation and economic stability as he began another term.

Shettima expressed confidence in Ouattara’s continued leadership and wished him success in his new mandate.

The vice-president reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening the strong partnership between both nations and working together to advance peace, stability, security, and prosperity across the West African region.

He noted that both countries would further strengthen their economic ties through agriculture and trade relations.

In his inaugural address, President Ouattara thanked all visiting leaders, who came to show solidarity and friendship with the I’voirans, promising to continue to work for the well-being of his citizens and engage more robustly in diplomatic relations for mutual benefits.

Other leaders who attended the event included the Presidents of South Africa, Liberia, Senegal, Gambia, Angola, Ghana among others, and former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

The United States was represented by a Presidential Delegation led by Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Jacob Helberg.

High-level personalities and delegates from ECOWAS and other nations also graced the occasion.

Meanwhile, the World Bank has applauded the reforms of the Tinubu administration, pledging to heighten its partnership with the nation on energy, job creation and gender empowerment initiatives.

The global financial institution stated this in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, when Shettima received in audience, its Managing Director, Operations, Ms. Anna Bjerde, on the sidelines of the presidential inauguration.

He told Bjerde that the administration of President Tinubu, from inception, had to contend with negative impact of the oil subsidy regime on the economic growth of the country, just as he outlined the positive results of the administration’s bold reforms.

The vice-president further told the World Bank Director that the ongoing tax reforms of the Tinubu administration had yielded positive result, saying, “We have crossed the rubicon.”

He pointed out that though the impact of the reforms might have been painful at the initial stage, it has started showing the dividends.

According to him, in order to turn the demographic bulge into demographic dividends, the administration was focusing on gender empowerment initiative, investments in the digital economy and agriculture for enhanced productivity.

Shettima commended the World Bank team for being supportive to Nigeria. 

Bjerde, earlier, commended Nigeria for taking pragmatic initiatives to position the country on the right path.

While noting that the World Bank was willing to partner more on energy, she said, “First, on energy, we’re stepping up on a number of possibilities to ensure that about four million people are connected.”

She further revealed that her group would encourage and enhance upliftment and education of the girl-child in Nigeria.