President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday departed Abuja for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to attend EXPO 2020 in Dubai.
The trip is coming barely two 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. Before arriving South Africa, President Buhari had attended summits in United Kingdom and Paris, France.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, 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.”
The Expo will provide another opportunity for the Nigerian delegation to highlight significant strides in the economy in the last six years as a basis for making the country an important destination for foreign direct investment.Advertisment
Aside touring the Nigerian Pavilion at the Expo on Friday, the President will also receive in audience prospective investors as well as meet with His Highness, 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. On Saturday, Buhari will be the Special Guest of Honour at the special Trade and Investment Forum with the theme: 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.
The President will be accompanied 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, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd); Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; and Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar.
Others are: 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, Amb. Maryam Katagum, the National Security Adviser , Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd), Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission , Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.Advertisment
He is expected back in Abuja on Sunday, December 5, 2021.