Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said that the visit of his Colombian counterpart, Mrs Francia Márquez, alongside ongoing bilateral engagements, marks the beginning of a new chapter in relations between the two countries.
Speaking on Sunday at a gala dinner held in her honour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima described Márquez’s presence in Nigeria as the start of a “new dawn.”
Márquez arrived in Abuja on Saturday for a three-day official visit with her spouse, Mr Rafael Ocoró, cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and business leaders. The delegation is expected to hold strategic discussions with their Nigerian counterparts aimed at strengthening cooperation across key sectors.
Shettima said the visit signalled a new era of partnership, promising deeper political cooperation, expanded economic ventures, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges.
He conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian people to the visitors, stressing that the engagements were built on shared interests in the future of both nations.
“This historic visit and tomorrow’s engagements will be the gateway to a new chapter. More than ever, 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,” Shettima said.
He noted that Nigeria and Colombia had maintained diplomatic ties for more than five decades, describing the relationship as one rooted not just in diplomacy but in a shared sense of humanity.
On her part, Márquez described her visit as both strategic and historic, highlighting shared heritage and values between the two nations.
She emphasised her African descent and said the trip aimed to boost cooperation in areas including social justice, peace, tourism, health, culture, and education. She also pledged that Colombia would use its position in South America to strengthen trade with Africa and deepen ties with Nigeria.
Márquez conveyed the condolences of Colombian President Gustavo Petro to Nigeria over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, described the dinner as a “homecoming” for Márquez and an opportunity to rekindle longstanding friendship between the two countries.
He noted that beyond policy, diplomacy between Nigeria and Colombia also encompassed cultural exchanges in music, art, and cuisine.
The dinner was attended by ministers and senior officials from both governments.
(NAN)