Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has departed Nigeria to embark on a diplomatic mission to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the global stage.
The Vice President will attend two major international forums, according to a statement sent to journalists by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications.
The statement noted that the first on the agenda, Shettima will jet off to Beijing, China, today, to partake in the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum, taking place from the 16th to the 18th of October, 2023.
The prestigious gathering will convene leaders from over 130 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Their mission: to discuss and deliberate upon the theme, “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.”
During his presence at the BRI Forum, the Vice President is expected to leverage this international platform to attract investors for a myriad of developmental projects in Nigeria.
Additionally, he will engage in critical bilateral meetings with global leaders, aimed at advancing Nigeria’s trade and investment relations in alignment with President Tinubu’s economic development agenda.
The delegation accompanying Vice President Shettima to the BRI Forum includes several key ministers and officials, including:
- The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf M. Tuggar
- The Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Abubakar Bagudu
- The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali
- The Honourable Minister Of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi
- The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite
- The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Engr. Fidet Okhiria
- The Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Michael Ohiani
After his engagement in China, Shettima will depart for the United States of America where he is slated to deliver the keynote address at the prestigious Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, an event facilitated by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Food Prize.
Scheduled to commence on October 24th, 2023, the event will bring together distinguished African and international leaders who have previously delivered keynote addresses, further solidifying Nigeria’s role on the global stage.
During this address, Shettima will highlight the critical reforms being implemented within Nigeria’s agrifood sector under President Tinubu’s administration.
The aim is to engage with various stakeholders, partners, and investors to explore opportunities for investment in Nigeria, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to food security and diversification.
