Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on an official State visit.

According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications, Office of The Vice President, the visit was at the instance of the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali.

In a statement, Nwokocha said during the visit, Shettima would participate in the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme, a flagship environmental initiative.

He said the programme is designed to combat deforestation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, targets the planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over a four-year period.

“Also in line with strengthening bilateral ties in agriculture and industrial development, the Vice President will also embark on a strategic tour of key industrial zones and integrated agricultural facilities across selected regions of Ethiopia.”

“These include the Adama Industrial Zone, Mojo Poultry Farm, Shera Dibandiba Mojo Family Integrated Farm, Lume Avocado Nursery Site, and the Bishoftu Pea Youth Farm.

“As part of the State visit, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will host Vice President Shettima and his entourage to a State Dinner at the National Palace, further reinforcing the long-standing diplomatic and cooperative relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia.”

Nigeria and Ethiopia share a robust history of bilateral engagement, with notable collaboration in areas of military support, regional peacekeeping, and economic partnership.