By Ochiaka Ugwu
Nigerian government may have concluded plans to advance stronger cooperation on humanitarian issues, security, youth empowerment and economic partnerships at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council (OIC) in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia slated for today.
In a press statement released Tuesday in Abuja, signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on Digital Media and Public Diplomacy, Raphael Oni, it noted the Nigerian delegation led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye would base their agenda on issues that advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the statement, “Speaking to journalists before departure, Amb. Enikanolaiye stated that Nigeria’s engagement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the 4-D Foreign Policy Doctrine: Demography, Development Disapora and Democracy.
“This is a journey of strategic partnership and purpose devoid of ideological or religious fixation. Nigeria goes to Jeddah to advance cooperation that delivers real benefits to our people,” the Minister of State said.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, our focus goes beyond partisan religious orientation and persuasion. It is about bringing real benefits and development to Nigerians. Our focus remains peace, prosperity, from stronger ties with the Islamic world.”
The Minister said Nigeria would advocate for the operationalization of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs to strengthen regional response to insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the and Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel that will include support for interfaith dialogue, rehabilitation of displaced communities, and efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
He informed that Nigeria would push for expanded OIC-supported programmes in vocational training, women’s empowerment, healthcare, and cultural exchanges. The aim, he said, is to equip Nigerian youth with skills and promote peace and unity across member states.
Amb. Enikanolaiye noted the delegation would showcase Nigeria’s domestic economic reforms and investment opportunities under the Renewed Hope Agenda in agriculture, manufacturing, Business Process Outsourcing, automotive, oil and gas, and commerce.
He said Nigeria will engage OIC investors and institutions on Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) partnerships to attract Foreign Direct Investment and drive economic diversification.
The meeting is expected to elect a new Secretary-General of the OIC and with Nigeria engaging constructively to ensure that the emergence of leadership committed to unity, reform, and people-centered programmes across the 57-member organization.
The Minister noted the OIC has been executing many programmes and projects across the country without religious bias.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
