Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu’s bold vision and pragmatic leadership will transform Nigeria into a more vibrant and prosperous nation in the near future.
He attributed this projection to the significant investments made by the Renewed Hope administration in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and other key areas of the economy.
Shettima made these remarks over the weekend during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Big Win Philanthropy, led by its CEO, Jamie Cooper, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“In a couple of years to come, I am projecting a vibrant and better Nigerian society. We are investing in healthcare and education – it is a game-changer. With education, within a generation, the son of a pauper can become a celebrated icon,” he said.
The Vice President welcomed Big Win Philanthropy’s commitment to collaborate with the Tinubu administration, emphasizing that the government is eager to explore how the foundation’s wealth of experience can align with the president’s ambitious Renewed Hope Agenda.
Shettima also highlighted the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a grassroots-driven program aimed at institutionalizing nutrition at the local government level. He described it as a multisector initiative that will play a crucial role in reversing Nigeria’s negative health indicators.
“I can assure you that Africa is rising, we are embracing change all over the continent, and for Nigeria, we are open for business. We are ready for fruitful engagements with Big Win Philanthropy because you have the deep knowledge, the institutional memory, the goodwill, and the context for a partnership,” he stated.
The Vice President further emphasized that Nigeria is not a nation of scarcity, but one defined by its potential and abundant natural resources. He stressed that Nigeria’s greatest wealth lies in its people—youthful, dynamic, and determined individuals. Shettima also spoke highly of President Tinubu, describing him as a supremely competent and highly intelligent leader.
“Honestly, Nigeria is not a nation of scarcity; we are a nation defined by potential, blessed with abundant natural resources but our greatest wealth lies in our people, young, dynamic and determined. I believe in the calibre of people we have at the helm of affairs, starting with my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is supremely competent and a highly intelligent human being,” Shettima added.
In her remarks, CEO Jamie Cooper acknowledged the importance of the Vice President’s efforts in addressing nutrition and combating stunting in Nigeria. She emphasized the need for collaboration, noting that Big Win Philanthropy is working with several Nigerian ministries, including Education, Culture and Creative Economy, and Health, to create over two million jobs in the country. Cooper also highlighted the foundation’s efforts in tackling malnutrition and supporting the local production of vaccines and drugs.
“We are working with Ministers of Education, Culture and Creative Economy, and Health, among others, to create over two million jobs in Nigeria. We are also working on malnutrition, local production of vaccines and drugs,” Cooper stated.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also spoke at the event, describing the delegation’s visit as a thoughtful gesture. He said the visit is a sign of confidence in the direction Nigeria is headed under the leadership of President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and the rest of the administration’s team.
