NIGERIA PRESIDENT, Muhammadu Buhari is set to depart Abuja for South Africa on Wednesday, a day after the independence day celebration.
Buhari will be in South Africa for three days on invitation of South Africa President, Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss the welfare of Nigerians and find common grounds for building harmonious relations between the two nations.
In a statement made available by Buhari’s Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, He noted that the visit will come against the background of recent Xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians and the exchange of visits by special Envoys of Buhari and Ramaphosa.
While in South Africa, Buhari is also set to hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians in South Africa to assure them of his administration’s commitment to the protection of their lives and properties and also in peaceful co-existence.
Buhari and his host will preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report will be presented and at the end of the meeting, both leaders will sign a joint communiqué.
The delegation will include Nigerian business representatives who will participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.
President Buhari will be accompanied by Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong and Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi.
With other delegates including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geofrey Onyeama, Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola,Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite.
Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi and Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum.
He also mentioned that the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and Chairman/CEO Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri are also part of the team for the three days visit.
Lukman Abolade is an Investigative reporter with The ICIR. Reach out to him via [email protected], on twitter @AboladeLAA and FB @Correction94