Vice President Kashim Shettima departed Abuja on Friday to represent President Bola Tinubu at the commissioning of a $315 million oil production and storage facility in Dubai, UAE. The facility, owned by Nigerian oil and gas company Oriental Energy Limited, is set to be inaugurated today, Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima’s spokesperson, announced that following the Dubai event, the Vice President would proceed to Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) in Madinah and Makkah from December 16 to 19, 2024.
In addition, Shettima is scheduled to meet with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on December 20 in Jeddah. The meeting will focus on co-financing arrangements for Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ Phase II) and improving coordination of IsDB-supported projects aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural and economic development.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria on or before December 21, 2024.
Earlier on Friday, Shettima attended the wedding Fatiha of Ibrahim Bagudu, son of Senator Atiku Bagudu, Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, and Amina Tatari Ali. The ceremony, held at Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna, was attended by several high-profile dignitaries.
Notable figures at the event included Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, who received Shettima, alongside governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Muhammadu Yahaya (Gombe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), and Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto).
Also present were Senators Abdul Aziz Yari and Simon Bako Lalong, as well as ministers Mohammed Idris, Wale Edun, and Bello Matawalle. The event was graced by business magnate Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, among other prominent personalities.
Shettima also observed the Friday Juma’at prayers at Sultan Bello Mosque before attending the wedding ceremony.
