Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the commissioning of a $315 million oil production and storage facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The facility, acquired by Nigerian-owned Oriental Energy Limited, underscores the growing global footprint of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The commissioning is slated for tomorrow (Saturday) December 14, 2024.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said: “This facility is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Nigerian enterprises on the global stage.

“Vice President Shettima’s presence reaffirms the administration’s commitment to supporting homegrown businesses in achieving international prominence”, the statement said.

Following the Dubai engagement, Vice President Shettima will proceed to Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) in the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah from December 16 to 19, 2024.

In addition to his spiritual activities, the Vice President is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Jeddah on December 20, 2024.

The discussions will focus on co-financing arrangements for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ Phase II) and enhancing coordination of IsDB projects in Nigeria.

“This meeting is pivotal in advancing our agricultural sector. The SAPZ Phase II project is a cornerstone of the Tinubu administration’s economic agenda, aimed at transforming Nigeria into a hub for agro-industrial investments”, the statement said.

The Vice President is expected to return to 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 Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna earlier on Friday.

The wedding was between Ibrahim A. Bagudu and his bride, Amina Tatari Ali.

Upon arrival, the Vice President was received by 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.

VP Shettima was accompanied by the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum; and Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Aliyu Modibbo 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: Senator representing Zamfara West senatorial zone, Alhaji Abdul Aziz Yari; Senator representing Plateau South of Plateau, Simon Bako Lalong; 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.

®CDA News