By Francesca Hangeior
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has arrived in Milan, Italy, ahead of a series of official engagements aimed at fostering collaboration in agriculture and vocational education.
Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the minister’s arrival in a statement released in Milan on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Wike departed Abuja on Tuesday night and touched down in Milan at approximately 4:30 am on Wednesday.
He was received by the Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy of Nigeria in Italy, Ambassador Mustapha Mohammed.
During his visit, the FCT minister is scheduled to meet with the President of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, on Thursday.
The meeting is expected to explore possible collaborations in agriculture, vocational education, and strategic partnerships to drive development in the Federal Capital Territory.
Olayinka noted, “While in Milan, the FCT minister will hold a meeting with the President of Lombardy Region on Thursday and also meet agribusiness investors.”
Lombardy is Italy’s leading region in economic importance, with a population of about 10 million people.
It is the second most populous region in the European Union and ranks second in the EU by nominal Gross Domestic Product.
The discussions between Wike and Fontana will centre on leveraging Lombardy’s advanced agricultural practices and vocational training systems to enhance the FCT’s development agenda.
In addition to the meeting with Fontana, Wike is expected to engage with investors in agribusiness and experts in vocational training to unlock new opportunities for partnerships and investment in the FCT.
The minister is accompanied on the trip by the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr Danlami Hayyo, Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr Udo Samuel Atang and Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multi-Lateral Cooperation, Barrister Benedict Daudu.