The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, has mentioned the go to by his Colombian counterpart, Mrs. Francia Márquez, to Nigeria, and the bilateral engagements will function a gateway to a brand new chapter for each nations.
The Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, accompanied by her partner, Mr. Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró, arrived in Abuja, Saturday, on a three-day official go to together with cupboard ministers, high authorities officers and enterprise sector leaders, all set to interact their Nigerian counterparts in discussions on key areas geared toward strengthening ties between each nations.
Talking on Sunday night time throughout a Gala Dinner in honour of the Colombian VP’s go to on the Presidential Villa, Senator Shettima, in an announcement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, mentioned Mrs. Márquez’s presence in Nigeria marked a brand new daybreak.
In accordance with him, the go to was proof that Nigeria and Colombia are about to enter an period of fraternal union that might create “deeper political cooperation, bolder {economic} ventures, and richer people-to-people exchanges.”
VP Shettima conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians to the guests, sustaining that what has introduced each nations to bilateral engagements was a shared curiosity within the future of the 2 nations.
He acknowledged: “Because of this this historic go to and tomorrow’s engagements would be the gateway to a brand new chapter. Greater than ever, Nigeria is impressed to plant the seeds of belief, water them with dialogue, and nurture them into fruits of prosperity that our youngsters and grandchildren shall in the future harvest.
“For 50-one years, Nigeria and Colombia have journeyed facet by facet. We’re certain not solely by the ties of diplomacy but additionally by the deeper name of shared humanity.
“We now have watched one another throughout oceans, now we have spoken via third nations, and but our hearts have at all times identified that the space between us is simply geography.”
The Nigerian Vice President made a toast to “the larger ties between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Colombia,” praying that the “historic go to would yield the fruits” earnestly desired by each nations.
On her half, the Colombian Vice President, Mrs. Marquez mentioned her go to to Nigeria was strategic, historic, and underscored the shared heritage and values between Colombia and Nigeria.
She mentioned as a lady of African descent, her go to to Nigeria was geared toward bettering ties between the 2 nations within the areas of social justice, peace, tourism, well being, tradition, schooling, amongst others.
She promised that her nation would leverage its place in South America to enhance commerce relations between the continent and Africa, in addition to enhance diplomatic ties between each nations.
She additionally conveyed the condolences of the President of Colombia to the federal government and the individuals of Nigeria over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Earlier, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Workplace of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, mentioned the gala dinner was in celebration of the homecoming of the Colombian VP, and her delegation to Nigeria, geared toward rekindling the lengthy standing friendship and partnership between each nations.
He outlined the distinctive values and potential that Nigeria and Colombia share, noting that if totally harnessed, they’ll positively affect key sectors of each nations’ economies.
Senator Hadejia added that the gala night time offered a chance to have fun the richness of the cultures of each nations in numerous methods, simply as he underscored the diplomacy between each nations which he mentioned goes past coverage to embrace cultural change in arts, music and distinctive delicacies.
The gala was attended by ministers and high authorities functionaries from Nigeria and Colombia.
