Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of Alassane Ouattara for a fourth term in office as president.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President, Stanley Nkwocha, said this on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Mr Nkwocha, Shettima is expected to join other leaders across Africa and beyond to witness activities lined up for the swearing-in ceremony on Monday at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan.

Mr Ouatara was re-elected for a fourth term in office on October 25.

He said both nations collaborate significantly within ECOWAS and the African Union on security, trade, and development, formalised by a Bi-National Commission and numerous agreements.

He stated, “The agreements cover areas like anti-trafficking, agriculture, and digital economy, with strong informal trade and significant Nigerian diaspora in Côte d’Ivoire, fostering deep bilateral economic and social connections.”

Mr Nkwocha said that the vice-president was accompanied by President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray; Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Bello and Usman Zanna, representing Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituency.

He said that the Vice-President would return to Abuja at the end of the inauguration.

(NAN)