Vice President Kashim Shettima has left Abuja for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration and naming of a $315 million oil production and storage facility.
OsunDailyNG reports that this facility, which is fully owned by a Nigerian oil and gas company, was acquired by Oriental Energy Limited and is set to be inaugurated on December 14, 2024.
According to a statement from Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, the Vice President will travel from Dubai to Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to perform the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) in the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah from December 16 to 19, 2024.
The statement further indicated that on December 20, Vice President Shettima is expected to engage in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Jeddah.
“Discussions will focus on co-financing arrangements for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ Phase II) and enhanced coordination of IsDB projects in Nigeria, aimed at bolstering the nation’s agricultural and economic development.
“The Vice President is expected back in Nigeria on or before December 21, 2024,” the statement noted.
Earlier on Friday, the Vice President participated in the wedding of Fatiha of the son of the Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, held at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna.
OsunDailyNG reports that the ceremony celebrated the union of Ibrahim A. Bagudu and his bride, Amina Tatari Ali.
Upon his arrival, the Vice President was welcomed by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, at the airport. Before the wedding festivities commenced, he attended the Friday Juma’at prayers at the Sultan Bello Mosque.
He was joined by several notable figures, including Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule; Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum; and the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Aliyu Modibbo Umar.
The event also saw the presence of other distinguished guests, such as Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi; Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya; Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris; and Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu.
Additionally, attendees included Senator Alhaji Abdul Aziz Yari, representing Zamfara West; Senator Simon Bako Lalong, representing Plateau South; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, among other dignitaries.
