By Anthony Nwachukwu
President Bola Tinubu has arrived Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 17th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Global South and Emerging Economic Bloc, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS).
Tinubu, at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva, is attending the summit themed, “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” and will be presenting an address at plenary.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president was received at the Galeao Air Force Base Friday night by Brazil’s Deputy Minister for Africa and the Middle East, Ambassador Carlos Sergio Duarte, among others.
Tinubu is slated to attend a bilateral meeting hosted by the Brazilian leader today, July 5, ahead of the main summit billed for July 6 and 7, where he is expected to highlight Nigeria’s ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning its economy for global competitiveness.
He is also expected to make a strong investment case for Nigeria, spotlighting key opportunities in agriculture, solid minerals, healthcare and alternative energy sectors, Onanuga stated.
This year’s summit will focus on health, artificial intelligence, governance and climate change, among others. This is as BRICS political negotiators have been deliberating on enhanced commitments to tackle socially determined diseases, AI governance, and climate finance, with emphasis on addressing structural challenges faced by the Global South nations.
On Tinubu’s entourage are governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Mohammed Bago of Niger State.
