Vice President Kashim Shettima has left Abuja for Ethiopia to lead a government delegation examining how the two countries can improve nutrition delivery through closer coordination across levels of government.
The inaugural Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange visit will focus on sharing approaches to implementing government-led nutrition programmes and aligning national, state and local efforts.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha in a statement Tuesday said Shettima is travelling at the invitation of Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, who is leading his country’s approach to improving nutrition across multiple sectors.
The visit centres on a practical challenge: translating government nutrition plans into coordinated delivery.
Nigeria is expected to exchange experiences with their Ethiopian counterparts and visit farms, training facilities and households to examine how programmes operate on the ground.
The itinerary includes a wheat farm and a banana plantation in Oromia, the “Bounty of the Basket” Training Centre and household visits in Mojo, and Jabdu Motors in Bishoftu. The statement didn’t explain the motor company’s role in the nutrition programme.
The Nigerian delegation includes Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal and Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi, alongside Budget and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Abubakar Kyari.
Zubaida Umar Abubakar, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, is also accompanying the Vice President.
Shettima is scheduled to return to Abuja after completing his engagements.
