By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria and Namibia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations for mutual benefit.
The agreement was reached when Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah paid a courtesy call on Vice-President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Mr Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, will deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the Assembly.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s first female president, who assumed office in March, praised Nigeria’s historic support for her country before independence and highlighted the contributions of Nigerian diplomats to Namibia’s governance.
She described the UNGA as an opportunity to engage with Mr Shettima and pledged to visit Nigeria soon to formally meet President Tinubu.
In response, the Vice-President wished her well and underscored the need to elevate Nigeria-Namibia relations. The meeting was attended by senior diplomats and ministers from both sides, including Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Women’s Affairs Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and Education Minister Maruf Alausa.
Separately, Mr Shettima held talks with the Gates Foundation delegation led by CEO Mark Suzman. He commended the foundation’s role in improving Nigeria’s health sector, boosting agricultural productivity, and advancing financial inclusion and gender empowerment.
“In the Gates Foundation, we have a partner we trust and believe in,” Mr Shettima said, urging more high-net-worth individuals to emulate Bill Gates’ level of investment in global development.
