- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Brazil’s capital city, Rio de Janeiro, ahead of the 17th Summit of Heads of State and Government for the Global South and Emerging Economic Bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS).
This was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the President’s flight touched down at the Galeao Air Force Base tarmac at 8:45 pm on Friday, where the Galeao Air Force Base Commander coordinated the Guard of Honour.
Receiving the Nigerian President at the airport were Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Carlos Sergio Sobral Duarte, and the Deputy Minister for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva had reportedly invited Tinubu for a bilateral meeting holding later today before the 2-day summit which will commence tomorrow.
At the BRICS Summit themed “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, Tinubu will be participating in a plenary session and deliver an address on Nigeria’s ongoing reforms to reposition the economy for global competitiveness.
According to Onanuga, the President will also attract investors to capitalise on the country’s opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, healthcare, and alternative energy while deliberating on health, Artificial Intelligence, governance, and Climate Change issues.
Ahead of the Leaders’ Summit, the political negotiators of BRICS brainstormed over aligning more commitments to combat socially determined diseases, artificial intelligence governance, and climate finance.
Their focus was on providing concrete solutions to the structural challenges faced by the Global South.
Also billed to join Tinubu at the summit are five state governors.
The governors include Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger).