By Ajibola Olaide, JKNMedia Reporter
DURING FIRST Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s diplomatic visit to Minsk, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in a meeting, expressed his country’s keenness to forge stronger economic ties with Nigeria.
Lukashenko, speaking through an interpreter, emphasized Belarus’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria across key sectors such as agriculture, food processing, industry, and education.
“We understand Nigeria’s needs and the potential for mutual benefit,” President Lukashenko affirmed, highlighting the significance of educational cooperation and specialist training as pivotal areas for future collaboration.
Lukashenko also requested Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu to let the country’s Foreign Minister come meet with is Belarusian counterpart to develop the areas of collaborations further.
In response, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu conveyed gratitude for Belarus’s initiative in offering full scholarships to 20 Nigerian students through the Renewed Hope Initiative, and noted that she would be glad to engage more to know how the details of the collaboration between the two countries would be trailed.
She highlighted the importance of empowering women in agriculture to enhance food security within Nigeria.
The First Lady’s visit also included discussions with Belarusian Minister of Education Andrey Ivanets, who acknowledged the positive academic performance of Nigerian students in Belarus and expressed Belarus’s interest in formalizing bilateral educational agreements.
The establishment of Specialist Training Centers in Nigeria was also deliberated.
While expressing his country’s eagerness to enhance economic cooperation with Nigeria, Lukashenko outlined potential areas of partnership, emphasizing agriculture, food processing, industry, and education.
Andrey Ivanets, noted the presence of about 600 Nigerian students in Belarus and lauded their academic achievements as he also expressed hopes to formalize a bilateral educational agreement, including the establishment of Specialist Training Centers in Nigeria.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu highlighted the commendable work experience programmes in Belarus and discussed their potential adoption in Nigeria.
Mrs Tinubu also met with the Speaker of the Belarusian Parliament, Ms. Natalya Kochanova, and members of the Women’s Union of Belarus, exploring avenues for further collaboration across various sectors, joined in the discussions.
Her visit reflects the broad engagement during the First Lady’s diplomatic mission to affirm her passion, as she seeks increased cooperation in education and economic development.
