Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has described the visit of his Colombian counterpart, Mrs. Francia Márquez, as the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between both nations.
Mrs. Márquez, accompanied by her husband, Mr. Refael Yerney Pinillo Ocoro, cabinet ministers, senior officials, and business leaders, arrived in Abuja on Saturday for a three-day official visit. The delegation is scheduled to engage with Nigerian counterparts across key sectors to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Speaking on Sunday evening at a Gala Dinner held in honour of the Colombian Vice President at the Presidential Villa, Shettima said the visit signified a fresh dawn in the ties between Nigeria and Colombia.
He noted that the engagements would open doors to “deeper political cooperation, stronger economic ventures, and broader people-to-people exchanges,” stressing that both countries were united not just by diplomacy but by shared values and history.
“This historic visit and tomorrow’s engagements will be the gateway to a new chapter,” Shettima said. “Nigeria is inspired to plant the seeds of trust, water them with dialogue, and nurture them into fruits of prosperity that our children and grandchildren shall one day harvest.”
The Vice President also extended the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians to the Colombian delegation, describing the 51-year-old diplomatic relationship between the two nations as one built on shared humanity despite geographical distance.
Proposing a toast, he expressed hope that the visit would yield the outcomes both countries earnestly desire.
In her remarks, Vice President Márquez described her visit to Nigeria as strategic and historic, highlighting the deep cultural and historical connections between the two nations.
“As a woman of African descent, coming to Nigeria is not only symbolic but also essential in our quest to strengthen ties in areas such as social justice, peace, tourism, health, education, and culture,” she said.
She further pledged Colombia’s commitment to leveraging its position in South America to boost trade between the continent and Africa, while also deepening diplomatic relations.
Márquez conveyed the condolences of Colombian President Gustavo Petro to Nigeria over the recent passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that her country stood in solidarity with the Nigerian people during this period of mourning.
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