Shettima Departs Abuja for Launch of Nigerian-Owned Oil Facility in Dubai
Vice President Kashim Shettima will depart Abuja later on Friday for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he will represent President Bola Tinubu at the commissioning and naming of a $315 million oil production and storage facility. The facility, acquired by Nigerian-owned oil and gas company Oriental Energy Limited, is scheduled to be launched on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
According to a statement from his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President will proceed to Saudi Arabia after the Dubai event, where he will perform the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) in the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah from December 16 to 19, 2024.
On December 20, 2024, Vice President Shettima will hold a bilateral meeting with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Jeddah. 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, with the goal of strengthening the nation’s agricultural and economic development.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria on or before December 21, 2024.
Earlier on Friday, the Vice President attended the wedding Fatiha of Ibrahim Bagudu, the son of Honourable Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna. Ibrahim married Amina Tatari Ali.
Upon arrival in Kaduna, Vice President Shettima was received by the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, at the airport. Prior to the wedding ceremony, he participated in the Friday Juma’at prayers at Sultan Bello Mosque.
Shettima was accompanied by the Governors of Nasarawa, Borno, and other dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Aliyu Umar. Other notable attendees at the wedding included Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Muhammadu Yahaya (Gombe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), and Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto).
Also present were Senators Abdul Aziz Yari (Zamfara West) and Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau South), along with several federal ministers, including Mohammed Idris (Information and National Orientation), Wale Edun (Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy), and Dr. Bello Matawalle (Minister of State for Defence). Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, and other prominent figures also attended the event.
