Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, arrived in Italy on Wednesday to seek partnerships in agriculture, vocation education, and strategic development. 

The minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Milan.

Mr Olayinka stated that the minister, who arrived in Milan at about 4:30 a.m, was received by the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in Italy, Mustapha Mohammed.

He said Mr Wike was in Italy for a series of engagements, including a meeting with the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana.

He added that the minister would meet with Mr Fontana and other agricultural business investors on Thursday.

He explained that the meeting with Mr Fontana was crucial, considering Lombardy’s economic importance with a population of about 10 million people.

According to him, Lombardy is the second most populous region in the European Union (EU) and the second region with the highest GDP in the EU.

“The FCT minister’s meeting with Fontana will centre on seeking collaboration and evaluating possible prospects in the areas of agriculture and vocational education, as well as strategic development partners with the Lombardy Region.

“Subsequently, Wike will meet investors in agribusiness and experts in vocational training, with a view to unlocking new opportunities,” the minister’s spokesman noted.

Mr Wike was accompanied by the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo and Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam.

Other officials in the entourage include Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Administration, Udo Atang, and Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Legal and Multilateral Cooperation, Benedict Daudu. 

(NAN)