Buhari jets off to Dubai with 13-man entourage

 President Muhammadu Buhari is departing  Abuja on Wednesday to attend EXPO 2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, his spokesperson, Femi Adesina has said.

Adesina  said the expo “creates the environment for Nigeria to join over 190 countries to forge true and meaningful partnerships “to build a better future for everyone.”

He said the expo would 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.

Aside from the scheduled tour of the Nigerian Pavilion at the Expo on Friday, Nigeria’s National Day at the show, the president would also receive in audience prospective investors.

 Adesina said the Nigerian leader 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.

“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,’’ he added.

The President, according to the media aide, will be accompanied on the trip by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; Defence, retired Major-General Bashir Magashi.

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Adesina said other ministers on the entourage are Aviation, Hadi Sirika; and Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar.

The rest are: Ministers of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami; Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite; Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Katagum.

The president’s delegation also includes the National Security Adviser, retired Major-General Babagana Monguno, Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai and the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

President Buhari is expected back in Abuja on December 5, 2021.