Brazil has extended an invitation to President Bola Tinubu to join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.
The invitation was conveyed during a meeting between President Tinubu and the newly appointed Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Jose Areias, at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
Ambassador Areias, while presenting his Letter of Credence, relayed the invitation on behalf of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The Global Alliance initiative, spearheaded by Brazil during its G20 presidency in 2024, aims to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030, with a strong focus on food security.
The invitation comes as part of Brazil’s efforts to strengthen ties with Nigeria and other African nations.
Ambassador Areias noted that Africa is a top priority for President Lula, with Nigeria being of particular importance to Brazil’s foreign policy.
During the meeting, President Tinubu and Ambassador Areias discussed various aspects of bilateral relations, including trade and economic cooperation, according to a statement issued by Chief Ajuri Ngelale.
Tinubu expressed his commitment to working closely with Brazil to advance shared priorities and welcomed Brazil’s presidency of the G20 in 2024.
“We have a long history of bilateral and cultural relations with Brazil. You must see Nigeria as your second home and explore the abundant economic opportunities in the country.
“I have been talking to some of my Brazilian friends concerning the prospects of investing in dairy farming in Nigeria. We are eager to push these investments forward.
“In my recent discussions with President Lula, we agreed to energize the economic development of our two countries, and I look forward to continuing that collaboration,” said Tinubu.
President Tinubu also called for increased collaboration in the aviation sector, urging the establishment of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil.
The proposal follows earlier discussions between Tinubu and Lula on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February.
The Brazilian Ambassador also extended an invitation to President Tinubu to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for November 18-19, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro.
“I am in a country similar to Brazil, and I feel very much at home here with the culture, music, and people of Nigeria.
“I will do whatever I can to improve Brazil-Nigeria relations. Ten years ago, the volume of trade between our two countries was in the region of $10 billion, and I will work hard to improve on the number.
“Africa is top priority for President Lula and Nigeria is the most important country for us,” the Brazilian Ambassador said.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu also received a Letter of Credence from Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Vice-Admiral Seth Amoama (Rtd).
He commended Ghana’s active participation in ECOWAS and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with its West African ally.
“You must feel at home in Nigeria. Our doors are always open and I wish you a pleasant stay in the country,” the President told the High Commissioner and former Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of Ghana, who is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan and fellow of the National Defence College, Abuja.
High Commissioner Amoama expressed Ghana’s steadfast support to Nigeria’s leadership of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“We will continue to support the able leadership of President Tinubu in every way possible,” the Ghanaian High Commissioner said.