Kashim Shettima, the Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at summits in Rome, Italy and St Petersburg, Russia.
The development was contained in a statement by Olusola Abiola, the director of information at the vice president’s office, saying the vice-president will depart Nigeria for Rome on Sunday, adding that Shettima would join other global leaders at the Rome event, for the first stocktaking moment (STM) summit themed: “Transforming food systems for people, planet and prosperity”.
He added that the event will hold from Monday (July 24) to Wednesday (July 26).
Abiola also said during the summit, Shettima would chair a high-level session themed: “Innovative financing for food system transformation: the case of Nigeria”.
Abiola said the event is being organised in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and wider UN system.
“Shettima will then proceed from Rome to St. Petersburg in Russia to represent the president at the Russia-Africa summit scheduled from Wednesday, July 26 to Saturday, July 29,” he said.
“While in Russia, the vice president will join other political and business leaders at the 2nd Russia–Africa summit and Russia–Africa economic and humanitarian forum focused on strategising to enhance relations between Russia and the African continent, among other benefits.
“Also, Vice President Shettima will participate in bilateral meetings with representatives of relevant Russian senior government officials and business leaders to discuss relations between Russia and Nigeria.”
The statement added that the vice-president will be accompanied on the trip by senior government officials from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), while he is expected to be back in the country at the end of the week.