From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria and Japan are set to strengthen their bilateral relations, focusing on trade, infrastructure, food security and health.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made this commitment during a meeting with a Japanese delegation led by Ambassador Matsunaga Kazuyoshi and JICA President, Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the VP assured that all outstanding issues in their partnership would be resolved promptly, emphasising the importance of cooperation with JICA, which has significantly contributed to Nigeria’s development efforts, including a recent ¥1.75 billion grant to enhance the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s diagnostic capabilities.
“All the grey areas will be addressed. Luckily, the CBN Governor is here, and two of the major beneficiary ministries are represented at the highest level. Be rest assured that in a couple of days, we are going to resolve all the grey areas and put our relationship on a new pedestal,” the VP told the delegation.
Specifically, he thanked JICA’s President for the firm’s donation of a grant of ¥1.75 billion to the NCDC to strengthen the Centre’s diagnostic capacity.
“Your Excellency, we are immensely grateful for JICA’s continuous commitment; words cannot adequately convey our depth of gratitude. Under the exemplary leadership of Dr Akihiko, JICA has played a very vital role in strengthening the ties between our two nations.
“Your contributions span across critical sectors of our economy and society, aligning seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am glad you visited the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) yesterday where, again, you have given a grant of ¥1.75 billion for the strengthening of diagnostic capacity of the NCDC,” the Vice President said.
Shettima also acknowledged JICA’s assistance in polio eradication, which he said helped Nigeria to achieve polio-free status in 2020.
“We share in your vision of making Nigeria a hub for disease control in West Africa and by extension, you can make it a hub for the whole of Africa because one in every four black men is a Nigerian. So, we implore you to further enhance the cooperation between our two nations. You are a silent giant. You don’t make too much noise,” he added. Dr. Akihiko expressed sympathy on the recent floods in Nigeria and praised the collaboration of the Nigerian engineers.
He announced Japan’s plans for an International Conference on African Development in Tokyo next year, aiming to further solidify ties between the two nations.
He extended his gratitude to Nigeria and its citizens for understanding, supporting and allowing JICA to participate in development projects in the country, noting that, “the Ambassador of Japan, Mr Matsunaga Kasuyoshi, has done a good job in maintaining and improving the relations between Nigeria and Japan.”
He said he also visited the Nigeria Information Technology Centre where he met with the Nigerian engineers and entrepreneurs, noting that he was impressed with their ingenuity and level of creativity, just as he stressed that it has formed the basis of collaboration with JICA.
Speaking also, Kazuyoshi disclosed that the Japanese government would hold an International Conference on African Development in Tokyo next year.
He said while the Japanese Government has paid great attention to the partnership with Nigeria, it would like to use the opportunity of the visit to strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries.
Also explaining the level of Japanese involvement in development in Nigeria, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusinesses and Productivity Enhancement (Office of the Vice President), Dr. Kinsley Uzoma, stated that JICA has done well in supporting Nigeria in the area of food security emergency support loan.
Uzoma emphasised that one of the most critical areas of support is the project to rehabilitate and reinforce the Lagos transmission substation. This initiative aims to provide an uninterrupted power supply to Apapa Wharf, ensuring 24-hour electricity.
“The project is instrumental in elevating the Nigerian port to meet international standards,” he explained. Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev; CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia.