Shettima Embarks On Journey To China To Represent Nigeria For The Belt And Road Forum Participation....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Vice President Kashim Shettima left Abuja on a journey to Beijing, China, to stand in for President Bola Tinubu at the third Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum, as confirmed in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in the Vice President’s Office. The forum is scheduled to take place from October 16 to 18 and will convene leaders from over 130 nations to deliberate on the theme: “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.”

During this trip, Vice President Shettima will actively seek to attract investors and engage in meetings with world leaders to advance trade and investment in line with the administration’s objectives.

The 2023 edition of the BRI marks the 10th anniversary of this global development strategy, initiated by China’s President Xi Jinping in 2013. The BRI aims to promote cooperation and investment in nearly 70 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe through both land and maritime routes.

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In 2018, Nigeria, represented by Muhammadu Buhari, entered into a Belt and Road cooperation agreement with China. This partnership is expected to bring numerous benefits to Nigeria and other participating countries, including improvements in infrastructure such as ports, skyscrapers, railroads, roads, bridges, airports, dams, and coal-fired power stations.

The delegation accompanying Vice President Shettima includes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali; Minister of Works, David Umahi; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, and Director General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Michael Ohiani.

Following his participation in the BRI Forum, Vice President Shettima will depart for the United States of America (U.S.A), where he will serve as the special guest and deliver the keynote address at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Food Prize-facilitated Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, commencing on October 24.

The Vice President will join other prominent African and international leaders who have delivered keynote addresses at the Borlaug Dialogue in the past. This list includes former United Nations (UN) Secretary General and AGRA Founder Kofi Annan, World Food Prize Laureates, Ghanaian President John Kufuor, AfDB President Akinwunmi Adeshina, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Presidents Felix Tshishiked and Joaquim Chissano, Joyce Banda, Ameenah Gurib–Fakim, and IFAD President Kanayo Nwanze, among others.

During his time in the U.S.A, Vice President Shettima will emphasize the reforms being introduced in Nigeria’s Agri-food sector by the Tinubu administration and engage with various stakeholders, partners, and potential investors in opportunities for investment in Nigeria.

Numerous meetings and engagements are scheduled for the Vice President, who is expected to return to Nigeria after fulfilling his commitments in the U.S.A.