Vice President Kashim Shettima will depart Abuja later on Friday for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates where he will represent President Bola Tinubu at the commissioning and naming of a $315 million oil production and storage facility.
The facility, a fully Nigerian-owned oil and gas company acquired by Oriental Energy Limited, is scheduled for commissioning on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
According to a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President will after the event in Dubai proceed to Saudi Arabia where he will perform the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) in the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah from December 16 to 19, 2024.
The VP will also on December 20, 2024, hold 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.
Vice President Shettima is expected back in Nigeria on or before December 21, 2024.
Meanwhile, the Vice President attended the wedding Fatiha of the son of the Honourable Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna earlier on Friday.
The wedding was between Ibrahim Bagudu and his bride, Amina Tatari Ali.
Upon arrival, the Vice President was received by the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani at the airport.
Prior to the wedding ceremony, VP Shettima observed the Friday Juma’at prayers at Sultan Bello Mosque.
Shettima was accompanied by the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; his Borno State counterpart, Professor Babagana Zulum; and the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Aliyu Umar.
Other dignitaries who attended the wedding included Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi; Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya; Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris; and Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu.
Also present were the Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial zone, Alhaji Abdul Aziz Yari and the Senator representing Plateau South of Plateau, Simon Bako Lalong.
Others are the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle; and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, among many other dignitaries.