By Abiola Olawale
Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially arrived in Sweden for a two-day working visit.
The Vice President is accompanied by a delegation that includes Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. This was disclosed on Thursday morning by Shettima’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha.
Nkwocha said the visit is designed to “enhance economic collaboration and strengthen the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Sweden, focusing on various sectors including trade, investment, and technological exchange.”
The statement explained further : “The visit, which is at the behest of President Bola Tinubu, will see the Vice President engage in high-level talks with key government officials. He is also slated to meet with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and the Swedish Prime Minister.
“Targeted areas of strengthened collaboration between Nigeria and Sweden that will be pursued by the Vice President include ICT, digitalisation, education, sustainable transport, agriculture, and mining.”
According to the statement the Vice President is expected back in Nigeria on Saturday.
The New Diplomat reports that Shettima departed the country during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two-week working vacation abroad. This expectedly triggered massive concerns as to who would be charge of the leadership of the government given the absence of both the President and his Vice in Nigeria.
However, following rising concerns, the Presidency clarified that Nigeria’s constitution does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the President or the Vice President at all times to fulfil their responsibilities.
In a press statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency emphasized that both leaders remain fully engaged with national duties despite their absence from the country.
