BY EDMOND ODOK – President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to depart Abuja later today for Madrid, the Spanish capital, on a three-day State visit.
This will be the President’s first to the European nation since coming into office on May 29, 2015.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the visit to Spain is on the invitation of the Spanish President, Pedro Sanchez.
During the visit, President Buhari meet with the Head of State of the Spanish nation, His Majesty King Felipe VI
While in Spain, the President, who is embarking on the journey with some senior government officials, will engage in diplomatic exercises targeted at enhancing Nigeria’s socio-economic interest.
“During his engagements with both leaders, the Nigerian President will discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries, which will expectedly result in the signing of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding on a wide range of topics, geared towards further enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations.
“Such areas include: Extradition and transfer of convicted persons, Mutual Legal Assistance, Cultural Matters, Cooperation towards fighting crime and enhancing security, as well as issues affecting dependants of diplomatic staff.
“Also on the agenda are Cooperation on Energy, Trade and Investment, Transportation, Public Health and Sports Development.
“The President will also be the Special Guest at an Investment Forum jointly organized by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Trade, and the Confederation of Employers (CEOE), where he will speak to the gathering of top members of the Spanish business community and their Nigerian counterparts on the investment opportunities in Nigeria and ways of expanding the volume of trade as well as further collaborating for the development of the economies of both countries,” the statement said
Accompanying the President on the trip are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare; and Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora.l
The delegation also includes the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar; and Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
President Buhari is expected back in the country on Friday, June 3, 2022.
