Shettima said this on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during an update meeting with some Ministers and Heads of agencies ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.

According to Shettima, the growth trajectory is sequel to President Bola Tinubu’s bold, courageous leadership and well-thought-out policies.

He noted that, “in President Tinubu, Nigeria has a leader who has shown the dexterity and audacity of hope for a better tomorrow.”

Shettima expressed satisfaction with the firm grasp of the real issues by the ministers in the key sectors targeted for deliberations during the Dialogue.

He called on all the key actors on the Nigerian side to make adequate preparations for the dialogue slated for the later part of the year

The Vice President underscored the need for clarity, strategic coherence and a deep understanding of issues that will be tabled for discussion at the meeting

” I want to urge all Ministers involved in this Nigeria-Brazil strategic dialogue to take charge of the initiative of the discussions so that we can take it to the next level.

“Drive the process, engage with different strategic groups to give you weekly updates to prepare us for the visit of the Brazilian Vice President and his delegation.

“The most important thing at this moment is for us to actualise the dreams of our nation’s development.

” We have the resources and institutional knowledge to make this work for our country” he said

On the similarities between Nigeria and Brazil, Shettima stressed the need to leverage the huge opportunities inherent in the partnership between both countries.

Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the dialogue presents a renewed opportunity for Nigeria to revitalise the nation’s agricultural sector to attain food sovereign goals of the administration.

“On behalf of the agriculture sector, it is time for us to walk the talk. It is a good day for Nigeria because agriculture will play a major role in the partnership.

” We have an opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world and be on our way to food sovereignty,” the Minister said.

Also, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa spoke on the cultural significance of the partnership.

” There is a huge population of Nigeria descent in Brazil who have a lot of interest in Nigeria.

“What we have done in the Ministry is to engage Brazil actively in working together. Already, we have an MoU, but we want to expand that beyond cultural diplomacy.

” Brazilians have a lot of interest in tapping into our creative industry,” she added.

The Minister hinted on plans to rebuild the Nigerian House in Brazil as well as host an annual Orisha Festival, soon.

On defence cooperation, Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, said all is set for the signing of a defence agreement with Brazil.

” We are also engaging with them on defence industry development to start production centres in Nigeria.”

Also, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, highlighted healthcare opportunities that dialogue presents to Nigeria.

” Brazil is able to produce almost everything they need, including pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

” We are keen on turning things around and with the efforts of President Bola Tinubu, we are unlocking the healthcare value chain.

” Manufacturing vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals is on the agenda, but it’s a very long journey and we are determined to walk through it,” he said. (NAN)

In a statement on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the suspect, Loveth Alo, was apprehended on Feb. 1.

According to the police spokesman, during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and admitted that she acted alone.

“She was arraigned on a five-count charge, including obtaining by false pretence with intent to defraud, defamation of character, and attempting to commit a felony.

“Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Legal Section were alerted following a petition against her,” Ndukwe said.

He said the petition alleged that she falsely claimed ownership of a five-bedroom duplex at WTC Estate, Enugu.

“She allegedly presented the property as hers during a testimony at Zion Prayer Ministry Movement Outreach in Lagos.

“In a viral video, she testified that God had blessed her with the acquisition of the house.

“Footage of the building was displayed in the church as she spoke.

“In another viral video, she allegedly claimed to have purchased the house for N200 million,” Ndukwe added.

The suspect was granted bail, and the case was adjourned to April 9, 2025 for further hearing.

Minister of Transport, Said Alkali, debunked the report in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relation Mrs Janet McDickson, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The ministry urged Nigerians to disregard the publication, describing it as false, malicious and misleading to the public, and should be discarded.

“Attention of Management and Staff of FMT has been drawn to a publication written by Sahara Reporters (online report) alleging that “Nigeria’s Transport Minister diverted $3 Billion Railway Project from South-East to Home State, Gombe for Political Gain”.

“The management wishes to state categorically that, the above report is false, malicious and misleading to the public and should be discarded.

The statement noted that the Port Harcourt -Maiduguri narrow gauge railway rehabilitation project was awarded to Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation in November, 2020.

It said so far, the rehabilitation works had been completed from Port Harcourt to Aba and train services along the corridor was currently running.

“Rehabilitation works from Aba to Enugu is ongoing with works on substructure completed while works on superstructures are ongoing.

“It is pertinent to note that the slow pace of work on the project is due to paucity of funds and the Federal Ministry of Transportation is working assiduously with the Contractor to ensure that funds are drawn down to complete the project.

“It is worthy to note that the main line for the project is in sections, Port Harcourt – Aba, Aba-Kafanchan, Kafanchan to Kuru in Jos, and Kuru to Maiduguri, “ it said.

According to statement, as part of preliminary works on the remaining section of the project which includes Gombe State, a recognizance survey was carried out in 2024.

It added that the survey was carried out along the entire rail line by the four stakeholders – the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Railway Corporation, the Contractor and the Consultant.

It stated that there was no work going on in Gombe currently as falsely reported by the Sahara Reporters.

“The Management of the ministry requests that Sahara Reporters withdraw this fake report and apologise to the Minister, Sen. Said Alkali for dragging his name and the ministry in a bad light.

“The minister is working assiduously to bring out the dividends of democracy to the entire nation to achieve the mandate of the Ministry and does not deserve to be attached with this fake news.

“The Sahara Reporters is therefore, warned to desist from carrying out fake news but is advised to work professionally by officially verifying its information before publications, “ it said.

According to it, the ministry is working hard to connect the entire country through the rail sector to ease transportation, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. (NAN)