Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to engage in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Muhammad-Sulaiman Al-Jasser, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on December 20.
The announcement, made via an official statement on Monday, highlighted that the discussions would focus on securing co-financing arrangements for the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ Phase II).
“The objective is to foster effective coordination of Islamic Development Bank projects in Nigeria, aimed at advancing the nation’s agricultural and economic sectors,” the statement emphasized.
Vice President Shettima’s trip to Saudi Arabia follows his recent representation of President Bola Tinubu in Dubai, where he attended the commissioning of a $315 million oil production and storage facility owned by Oriental Energy Resources Ltd (OERL).
According to the statement, Shettima departed Dubai after being seen off by key officials, including Muhammadu Indimi, Executive Chairman of OERL, and Goni Sheikh, the Executive Vice Chairman.
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“Following his engagements in Dubai, the Vice President will observe the lesser Hajj (Umrah) in the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah from December 16 to 19,” it noted.
On arrival at the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Shettima was warmly welcomed by Abdulmohsen Bin Hamed, Deputy Governor of the Madinah Region, alongside Nigerian diplomatic representatives, including Mu’azzam Nayaya, the Consul General of Jeddah.
During his stay in Madinah, Vice President Shettima will visit the revered Prophet’s Mosque and other sacred sites before proceeding to Makkah to complete the Umrah rites.
Accompanying the Vice President on this official trip is Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State.