Osinbajo heads to Canada for three-day high level visit

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday, departed Nigeria for a three-day official visit to Canada.

Laolu Akande, his spokesman, in a statement on Sunday, described the trip as “the first high-level visit from Nigeria since 2000 when former President Obasanjo visited the North American country”.

TheCable’s checks however revealed that former President Goodluck Jonathan visited Canada in 2010 for the G-20 summit.

Akande said Osinbajo’s visit will deepen diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Canada.

The vice-president is expected to meet Chrystia Freeland, Canadian deputy prime minister, and other top parliamentarians and members of the Canadian government in Ottawa, on Monday.

During the visit, issues and events around educational collaboration, technology, the creative industry and climate justice, among others, will also be discussed.

“For instance, the Vice President will give a public lecture at the Queen’s University in Kingston on Wednesday. Established in 1841, Queen’s University is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive academic institutions and is famous for its role in advancing the goals of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development,” the statement reads.

Osinbajo is also expected to give a public lecture at the Queen’s University in Kingston on Wednesday.

Before the lecture, Osinbajo will be received at the Ontario-based Carleton University, “which has significant engagements and collaborations with some educational institutions in Nigeria, with ongoing efforts to deepen the mutual relationships around issues including research and curriculum development”.

Akande said Osinbajo will also meet with the leadership of the Nigerian community, including Nollywood actors and notable Canadian government officials with Nigerian origins.

He will also meet with representatives of the Canadian business community and investors, especially from the creative industry and technology sector.

The vice-president is expected back in Abuja later in the week.

Editor’s note: This report has been edited to correct an error of fact