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Europe, Africa Must Maximise Potentials For Transformative Development, Says VP Shettima

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Europe, Africa Must Maximise Potentials For Transformative Development, Says VP Shettima

** Urges European Union to be co-creator of continent’s prosperity

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has implored the European Union (EU) and Africa to maximise their potential for the continent’s transformative development.

He described the EU as Nigeria’s natural partner, whose investments in the most populous nation on the African continent have been assisting greatly in realising ongoing reforms by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Senator Shettima who stated this on Thursday during a meeting with a delegation of the EU led by its Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, called for deeper bilateral ties between Nigeria and the EU, saying the nation’s relationship with the regional body must advance from well-intentioned commitments to transformative results.

Accordingly, he pledged Nigeria’s readiness to continue to leverage Global Gateway, a strategic initiative of the EU to invest in smart, clean, and secure infrastructure as well as connectivity across the world, including Nigeria, by accelerating key projects like the high-speed rail links, improved ports and airports, renewable power plants, and vocational training centers.

Urging the continent and the regional body to maximise their potential, he said, “The EU are our natural allies and natural partners. I am guided by logic, rationality and not by sentiments. We see our relationship with the EU as a long-term goal because we have come a long way, and there is room for improvement.

“Our expectations as Nigerians and as Africans are clear. We want this partnership to graduate from well-meaning commitments to transformative outcomes. We want more joint ventures, deeper trade facilitation under the AfCFTA, unchangeable investments in energy, education and digital inclusion.”

Maintaining that a stronger relationship with the EU is sacrosanct, the VP noted that Nigeria shares many things in common with the EU, including commitment to democracy, freedom of worship, inclusivity and gender empowerment, even as he said it is time to build a future where multilateralism reflects true mutuality globally.

He continued: “We hope to see the EU move from being a donor to being a co-creator of African prosperity. We really want to be partners with the European Union, not as recipients of aid but as co-creators of prosperity and wealth.

“And we have some commonalities that we share – our commitment to democracy, freedom of worship, inclusivity and gender empowerment, green technology initiative and climate adaptability. We are literally on the same page with the EU on so many issues.”

On the efforts of the current leadership of the African Union (AU) Commission, VP Shettima said it has brought a renewed commitment and clarity to the vision of the AU.

“I believe they are poised to reposition Africa not just as a subject of global discussion but as a co-author of the world’s next chapter,” he added.

Earlier, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, emphasised the strength and longevity of the relationship between the two continents, which is celebrating 25 years.

Mignot said, “The EU is Africa’s first partner—its first trading partner, first investor, first provider of official development assistance, and first humanitarian donor.”

According to the Ambassador, EU foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa reached €309 billion in 2022, significantly outpacing both the United States and China.

“It shows the strength of the EU’s commitment to Africa, and we want to enhance this presence,” Mignot added.

He explained that the meeting will also review progress on the Joint Vision for 2030, a shared strategic framework agreed upon at the last AU-EU Summit in 2022. This vision aligns with Africa’s development roadmap—Agenda 2063—and the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Tinubu Committed To Sustaining Nigeria, Zambia Fraternal Brotherhood – VP Shettima

Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima has said Nigeria and the Republic of Zambia share a longstanding fraternal brotherhood, and the administration of President Tinubu is committed to sustaining the relationship.

The Vice President stated this on Thursday when he received President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia’s Special Envoy, Dr Samuel Miambo, who was at the Presidential Villa to deliver President Hichilema’s message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Senator Shettima said Nigeria was proud of its shared heritage with Zambia, especially the country’s contributions to civil liberties liberation during the apartheid era, and its strong democratic heritage and stability since independence.

He assured the envoy of Nigeria’s continued support for the government and people of Zambia, particularly in the pursuit of programmes and policies that target the improvement of lives and livelihoods of the people of both countries.

Earlier, Dr Miambo, who conveyed President Hichilema’s message and special greetings to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, solicited Nigeria’s support for his quest for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

He said as a big brother in the continent, Nigeria’s support will be crucial for the success of any presidency of the AfDB and highlighted his vision for the development of the continent anchored on energy security, infrastructure and the construction of an African Centre of Excellence for Energy in Nigeria.

Accompanying the Special Envoy on the visit to the Vice President were the Zambian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. George Imbuwa; Advisers to the Zambian President – Mr Manfred Ndonuie and Mrs Elita Mwambazi.

Europe, Africa Must Maximise Potentials For Transformative Development, Says VP Shettima

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VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

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VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

By: Michael Mike

Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.

The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.

In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.

“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.

“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.

The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.

Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.

Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.

VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

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Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

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Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

By: Michael Mike

The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.

A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.

“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”

According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.

The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.

Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.

Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

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Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People

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Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People


…. Donates relief materials to displaced persons in Yelwata, IDP camp

By: Michael Mike

Former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri has charged former governors, legislators, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Benue state to set aside rivalry, unite and act with urgency to save their people from incessant attacks and killings.

Waziri, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and Principal Partner, Brookfield Chambers Abuja stated this on Saturday 28th June 2025 while donating relief materials to victims of the recent gunmen attacks in Yelwata community and displaced persons at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.

Some of the items donated under the banner of Women, Youth, Children and Crime Organisation (WYCCO), a non-governmental organization founded by her, include: bags of rice, sugar, tubers of yam and other household items.

She said: “This is no time for division. It is no time for political squabbling or ego-driven manoeuvring. Among us are men and women who have led this state — former governors, legislators, traditional rulers — individuals with influence and authority. The time has come to set aside our differences and stand united, for the sake of the ordinary Benue man, woman, and child.

“That is why I stand here today to make this urgent and heartfelt appeal to our leaders: cast aside rivalry, unite, and act. Act with urgency. Act with purpose. Because what we face now increasingly resembles a deliberate, coordinated effort to erase our people and our heritage.

“We must take heed of the words of Sir Winston Churchill, who once said:
‘Our difficulties and dangers will not be removed by closing our eyes to them.’
Another of Churchill’s warnings is just as relevant to our present predicament:
‘If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed… you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.”

Waziri, while stating that her call was a build up to the earlier proposal by President Bola Tinubu during his recent visit Beforehand Benue, noted that meetings alone would not solve the problem, urging that: “But let us be sincere: peace will not come from meetings alone. To end the cycle of violence, we must confront its roots. Before the Yelwata massacre, communities in Gwer West, Apa, and Guma had already endured weeks of killings, kidnappings, and raids. These horrors did not emerge in a vacuum; they are symptoms of deeper issues.

“We must therefore confront the real causes — ethnic and religious tensions, unchecked banditry, and the rise of cultism as well as the abuse of illicit drugs. These forces must be tackled, along with the herder-farmer conflict, with honesty and courage. We cannot afford to keep going in circles. And there is no room for blame games. Our leaders — and indeed, all of us — must be pragmatic. So today, let us commit, as one people, to healing our wounds, reclaiming our land, and ensuring that never again will a child in Benue grow up in a camp instead of a home”

She said the development in Benue must be of “concern to all sons and daughters of Benue regardless of whether we live within its borders or far away in the diaspora to find out the root cause of these attacks with a view to proferring solutions that will bring an end to these barbaric acts”

Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People

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