By ISMAIL ABDULAZIZ

President Bola Tinubu has assured foreign investors of diligent and predictable fund repatriation, and the streamlining of the tax system.

He also urged new foreign ambassadors to prioritise the exploration of new frontiers of trade relations that would be mutually beneficial as they carry out their duties in the country.

The President received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Hungary, Lorand Endreffy; High Commissioner of Rwanda, Christophe Bazivamo, and Ambassador of Ukraine, Ivan Kholostenko, at the State House, on Friday.

Speaking when he received the High Commissioner of Rwanda, the President said the long-standing concerns over trapped funds were receiving attention and that the funds would be processed expeditiously for release.

“We are one family on the continent. We will continue to promote democracy and good governance. I will maintain an open-door policy, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Staff are also available.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we are already working on the issues of double taxation, and it will be properly streamlined to favour business growth. Nigeria is home and a haven for investors,” he said.

The Rwandan High Commissioner said the government of Rwanda was prepared to enhance bilateral relations with Nigeria, with new visa policies and trade agreements.

At the ceremony, Tinubu asked the Ambassador of Hungary to explore all opportunities of building partnership, especially in the areas of agriculture and food security, and how to leverage the experience of the country in technology.

“Thank you so much for taking care of our students who are in your country. We are a very big country, with huge potential to sustainably spur economic growth. We are ready to improve relations, especially in the areas of agriculture and food security,” Tinubu said.

The Hungarian Ambassador commended the President for his bold, courageous, and strategic decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy, listing some areas of collaboration to include education, agriculture, food security, security, and medical technology.

“My Prime Minister always says that our relations are based on mutual respect,” he said.

Tinubu told the Ukrainian Ambassador that Nigeria would always work for global peace and harmony.

“We are with you in prayers. We will continue to support good governance and democracy,” the President said. (NAN)

•President Tinubu

Abundant talents in Nigeria stifled by poor leadership, says Obi

The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, says despite the evident high talent, profound productivity, and undeniable progressiveness of the Nigerian people, the nation is being hindered by a failure in leadership.

He said this in a post on his X handle congratulating Nigerian Author Prof. Chika Unigwe for earning two global honorary distinctions in recognition of her artistic and literary contributions to Belgium.

Unigwe was honored with a Knight of the Order of the Crown and a Proclamation/Oorkonde by the Christoffel Plantin Fonds, showcasing her remarkable achievements.

“I am again exhilarated by the intriguing story of a Nigerian author, Prof Chika Unigwe, who recently earned two global honorary distinctions: the decoration of Knight of the Order of the Crown and recognition with a Proclamation/Oorkonde by the Christoffel Plantin Fonds, in recognition of her artistic and literary contributions to the nation of Belgium.

“Her iconic rise, therefore, comes as no surprise, as I have always expressed confidence in the highly creative and productive nature of Nigerians,” Obi said.

“We are a nation of highly talented, deeply productive, and undoubtedly progressive people, only held backward by leadership failure.”

The former Anambra State governor noted that Unigwe’s success was anticipated, given his unwavering confidence in the creative and productive nature of Nigerians.

He pointed out the numerous uplifting stories of Nigerians making global impact is seeing them as harbingers of a New Nigeria.

Despite the current brain drain in the country, Obi remained optimistic, stating that it could ultimately transform into a brain gain for Nigeria in the future.

“Again, what seems like a brain drain in our Nigerian society today, will eventually turn out to be our brain gain in the future, as I have maintained,” the ex-governor said.

“The many heartwarming and inspiring stories of Nigerians making impacts on the global stage can signal the coming of a New Nigeria when our global talents, will unite with our local talents to move our nation forward.” (Channels TV)

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