By Bashir Aliyu
As the world leaders gather in Davos, Switzerland to discuss the most serious global crises, Nigerian delegation headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar are seeking to use the opportunity presented by the summit to promote Nigerian and African interests and creating conditions for more bilateral agreements between Nigeria and international partners. The Davos 2024 Summit is being attended by leaders from Europe, Asia and Africa.
The theme of this year’s summit is Rebuilding Trust which according to Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs aligns with Nigerian interests given the crisis in the Middle East caused by the conflict in Palestine and the brutal war of attrition between Russia and Ukraine. The summit also aims to discuss the policy direction on how to help the vulnerable countries in fight against climate change, humanitarian crises and insecurity especially in Africa.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa service, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said rebuilding trust is necessary to address global crises.
Below is the is the interview Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar had with with the BBC Hausa correspondent, Auwal Ahmad Janyau:
BBC: Can you tell us the theme of this summit?
Tuggar: The theme of this year’s Davos Summit is Rebuilding Trust. That is how countries can work together to address global crises through cooperation and partnership. Nigerian delegation is being led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
BBC: You just said that the summit aims to discuss a wide range of crises facing the world, what types of crises are you talking about?
There is a war in the Gaza strip, Ukraine and also in many places on our African continent. These are issues that need to be addressed which all require unity. This is the theme of this year’s summit.
BBC: The fact that this summit focuses on the state of global economy, and the summit comes at the time of economic hardship not only in Nigeria but all over the world, what does Nigeria have to benefit from summit that would improve the living conditions of Nigerians?
Tuggar: Well, Nigeria is a major power in Africa, and therefore, we are representing the interests of many countries who cannot attend the summit. Secondly there are many programmes that major international banking giants offer in terms of investment in infrastructure and other forms of social amenities. The international lenders attach stringent conditions that have to be agreed before they release the funds. If the conditions attached to the loans are stringent, they could impede poorer countries’ ability to access the fund. Major projects like the Kano-Ajakuta Gas Pipeline are funding from international investors. So, we are here to attract investment for infrastructural projects in Nigeria.
BBC: But there are many summits like this, and people hardly see any visible impact of such gatherings.
Tuggar: Development is a process, and its impact may not be felt overnight. It takes time. Some people expect an immediate impact which is not often the case. It is a process which requires a great deal of circumspection.