By Atoyebi Nike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the visit of his Colombian counterpart, Francia Márquez, as the beginning of a new era in Nigeria-Colombia relations.
Márquez arrived in Abuja on Saturday for a three-day official visit, accompanied by her spouse, Mr. Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró, cabinet ministers, senior officials, and business leaders. The delegation is scheduled to engage with Nigerian counterparts across key sectors to boost diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Speaking at a gala dinner in her honour at the Presidential Villa on Sunday night, Shettima said the visit signalled both nations’ commitment to deepening strategic ties. He noted that cooperation would extend to areas such as governance, trade, agriculture, energy, education, and security.
“The visit is proof that Nigeria and Colombia are about to enter an era of fraternal union that would create deeper political cooperation, bolder economic ventures, and richer people-to-people exchanges,” Shettima said.
The Colombian vice president’s engagements in Nigeria are expected to pave the way for stronger bilateral partnerships and increased collaboration between both countries.
