BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

Between March 6 and 10 , 2025, the workaholic FCT Minister , Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike broke the yoke of public officials particularly at the Minister’s level in the FCT, when he made a maiden State visit to Lombardy, far away Italy to broker a global relationship that entangled both economic, social, agriculture among many other ties for the benefits of the residents of the Federal Capital Territory FCT and Italy .

Leading the potential team of Nigeria delegation from the nations city , Barrister Wike met with the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, in Milan, Italy who was greatly impressed and excited on the first official tour of a sitting Minister from Nigeria, led by Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to Italy.

The weeklong visit attracted a lot of discussions, partnerships and expansion of protocol beyond synergising with the nations city administration alone , but the entire country in the area of farming , vocation , information and communication technology ICT among many other virgin areas .

Lombardy, a province located in the northern region of Italy with its bustling capital city Milan, pledged its support and cooperation with the Nigerian capital to establish a vocational training center in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) aimed at empowering the youth of Abuja.

Impressed by the Minister’s overture and initiative to be the first Nigeria’s top government officials who paid official visit on bilateral and other discussions that boardered on the progress and development of FCT, President Atilio Fontana used the occasion to sign many impactful agreement that will be beneficial to both nations .

Commending the administrative zeal and foresight of the FCT administration under Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike , President of Italy said the visit was a significant commitment made by the President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, showcasing a strong bond between the two regions with the Ministers overture , the first in the history of Nigeria..

Milan, the vibrant capital of Lombardy, stands out as a global hub for fashion and finance, attracting visitors from all corners of the world including Nigeria led by Nyesom Ezenwo Wike .

The city adorned with architectural marvels like the awe-inspiring Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the historic Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, which houses the iconic masterpiece “The Last Supper”by Leonardo da Vinci. Moreover, just north of Milan lies the enchanting Lake Como, a picturesque alpine retreat offering stunning natural landscapes and tranquil surroundings.

During the recent visit to Milan, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike engaged in fruitful discussions with President Fontana, exploring avenues of collaboration beyond the vocational training and Agriculture.

President Fontana expressed a keen interest in partnering in the field of agriculture, especially focusing on modern farming techniques.

“This commitment was further reinforced by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, underscoring the importance of mutual cooperation.”

The dialogue between President Fontana and Minister Wike delved into various areas of potential collaboration, emphasizing the significance of agribusiness and vocational education.

The Minister , Wike highlighted the vast agricultural potential in the FCT, with vast expanses of land earmarked for farming activities.

“He stressed the importance of attracting agricultural investors to Abuja and receiving support in vocational training, particularly in cutting-edge fields like Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”

President Fontana, known for his forward-thinking approach, expressed readiness to embark on shaping the “education of the future,”highlighting Lombardy’s pivotal role in Italy’s technical education landscape.

He proposed a collaborative effort in vocational training and educational exchange between Lombardy and Nigeria, aiming to enrich both regions through knowledge sharing and skill development.

The President’s willingness to draft a Memorandum of Understanding MOU included Signing of documents signifies a concrete step towards solidifying this partnership for the benefit of both communities.

“The meeting also saw the presence of key figures like the FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, who further emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange between Lombardy and the FCT.

This strategic partnership holds immense potential for fostering growth, innovation, and mutual learning between the two regions, paving the way for a brighter future filled with opportunities for the youth and communities involved.”

Known for his proactiveness, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has promised different channels of collaboration including the modernisation and advancement of the Information and communication technology ICT facilities he recently launched in the nations city secondary schools including other potentials that will improve modernized and mechanised farming in
line with the global best practices.

The five days visit to Italy spanned from 6th of March , 2025 to 10th , March, 2025, saw alot of fulfilment on the part of both countries beyond key issues of vocational and farming to the commercial status of other areas to ensure continuous synergy, with a promise by the Italian counterpart to reciprocate similar diplomatic relationship and gesture.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.