Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Francia Márquez has arrived Abuja yesterday on a three-day official visit to Nigeria.
Accompanied by her spouse, Mr Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró, the Colombian VP was received 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 and other senior government officials.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the vice president, Stanley Nkwocha, Mrs. Márquez’s official visit to Nigeria is expected to deepen diplomatic and strategic relations between Nigeria and Colombia as well as enhance collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including governance, trade, agriculture, energy, education and security, among others.
The statement said the vice president was accompanied on the visit by cabinet ministers, top government officials and business sector leaders who are 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 added.