Colombian VP Arrives Abuja On Official Visit To Nigeria

The Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Her Excellency, Francia Márquez has arrived in Abuja on a 3-day official visit to Nigeria.

Márquez was accompanied on the official visit by her spouse, Mr Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró.

The Colombian Vice President was received on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud Bunkure, Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, among other senior government officials.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the vice president, Stanley Nkwocha, Mrs. Márquez’s visit was expected to deepen diplomatic and strategic relations between both countries.

The visit also aimed at enhancing collaboration in governance, trade, agriculture, energy, education, and security, among others.

The statement added that the Colombian Vice President was accompanied by cabinet ministers, top government officials and business sector leaders.

It stressed that the business leaders were set to engage their Nigerian counterparts in discussions around key areas aimed at strengthening ties between both countries.

“A key highlight of the visit is the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in strategic areas of the economy, including women empowerment, trade, aviation, manufacturing, agriculture, and culture, among others.

“The visit will also feature a plenary session to be graced by both Vice Presidents and the Nigeria-Colombia Business Forum; government to government bilateral meetings; side events, including high-level business sector meetings hosted by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as a summit on Artificial Intelligence,“ the statement noted.