Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez Arrives in Abuja for Three-Day Official Visit, Eyes Strengthened Bilateral Ties - Thepodiummedia

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Post published:August 31, 2025
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Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Francia Márquez, arrived in Abuja on Saturday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and Colombia.

Mrs. Márquez, accompanied by her spouse, Mr. Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró, touched down at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where she was warmly received by senior Nigerian officials.

Those on hand to welcome her included the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmud Bunkure; and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar.

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The visit, which marks a new chapter in Nigeria–Colombia relations, is expected to deepen diplomatic and strategic cooperation across multiple sectors.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, discussions will cover governance, trade, agriculture, energy, education, and security, among other priority areas.

The Colombian Vice President is accompanied by cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and private sector leaders who will engage in bilateral meetings with their Nigerian counterparts.

A major highlight of the visit will be the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding in critical areas such as women empowerment, trade, aviation, agriculture, manufacturing, and culture.

Other key events scheduled include a plenary session with both Vice Presidents, the Nigeria-Colombia Business Forum, government-to-government bilateral meetings, and high-level business engagements hosted by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

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A special summit on Artificial Intelligence will also feature as part of the official programme.

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Morak Babajide-Alabi is a graduate of Mass Communication with a Master of Arts Degree in Journalism from Napier University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. He is an experienced Social Media practitioner with a strong passion for connecting with customers of brands.

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Ademola AKINBOLA is an author, publisher, trainer, digital marketing strategist, and a brand development specialist with nearly three decades of experience in the areas of branding, communication, corporate reputation management, business development, organizational change management, and digital marketing.

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He had a successful media practice at The Guardian, Punch and This Day.

He started his brand management career at Owena Bank as Media Relations Manager before joining Prudent Bank (now Polaris Bank) as the pioneer Head of Corporate Affairs.

The British Council appointed him as Head of Communication and Marketing to co-ordinate branding and reputation management activities at its Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt offices.

In 2007, he was recruited as the Head of Corporate Planning and Strategy for the Nigerian Aviation Handling company. He led on the branding, strategic planning and stakeholder management support function.

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Ademola obtained a M.Sc. Degree in Digital Marketing & Web Analytics from Dublin Institute of Technology in 2016, and the Master of Communication Arts degree of the University of Ibadan in 1997. He had previously obtained a Higher National Diploma (with Upper Credit) in Mass Communication from Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta.

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