President Muhammadu Buhari will on Wednesday (today) depart Abuja for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to attend EXPO 2020 in Dubai.
The trip is coming barely 2 weeks after the President came back from South Africa, where he went to take part in the inauguration of the second Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2021.
This disclosure is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Wednesday in Abuja, where he said that the EXPO 2020 Dubai, with the theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, creates the environment for Nigeria to join over 190 countries to forge true and meaningful partnerships “to build a better future for everyone.”
What the Presidential media aide is saying
According to NAN, Adesina said the Expo would provide another opportunity for the Nigerian delegation to be able to showcase the significant strides in the economy in the last 6 years as a basis for making the country an important destination for foreign direct investment.
The Presidential media aide also said the President would tour the Nigerian Pavilion at the Expo on Friday, Nigeria’s National Day at the show, as well as receive in audience prospective investors.
Adesina said President Buhari would also meet with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai.
He said, “On Saturday, President Buhari will be the Special Guest of Honour at the special Trade and Investment Forum themed: Unveiling Investment Opportunities in Nigeria.
“It is put together to mark Nigeria’s presence at the gathering by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.’’
Adesina said the President will be accompanied on the trip by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; Defence, retired Major General Bashir Magashi; Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; and Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar.
Others include Ministers of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami; Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite; Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Katagum.
The National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai and the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, are also part of the president’s delegation.
Adesina in the statement said that President Buhari is expected back in Abuja on December 5, 2021.
In case you missed it
Recall that on November 16, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country after 16 days of official engagements in Europe and South Africa.
Buhari was in Glasgow, Scotland to attend the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Nigerian leader thereafter travelled to Paris, France, from Glasgow on an official visit to reciprocate an earlier one to Nigeria by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and also attend the Paris Peace forum 2021.
