By Gideon Adonai
President Muhammadu Buhari 2022 travelled abroad many times on one assignment or the other, sometimes, seeking medical attention, AF24NEWS reviews his travels.
In 2022, the 80-year-old erstwhile military general made 19 foreign trips which covered some 90 days out of 365.
Although, Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, had stated that his principal’s visits abroad are not for pleasure, but for the general advancement of the West African nation.
Yet, Nigerians have on many occasions faulted the president for not spending enough time in the country to tackle the avalanche of challenges, including insecurity, as well as the economic crisis facing them.
President Buhari embarked on at least 19 foreign trips in 2022, all of which AF24NEWS is taking you through in a timeline.
Foreign Trip One: Gambia
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On 18 Jan-22, the president made his first 2022 travel to Banjul, the Gambia. He went there to attend the inauguration of the new president
President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Kaduna, straight from Banjul, the Gambia. He was received by Malam Nasir @elrufai and senior KDSG officials.
The President will be commissioning urban renewal and other projects over the next two days in Kafanchan, Kaduna and Zaria pic.twitter.com/HQe26Cs6D9
— Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) January 19, 2022
Foreign Trip Two: Ethiopia
On February 4, 202s, Buhari visited Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. He was there to attend the 35th African Union Summit.
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, joined other African leaders to inaugurate the headquarters of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services (CISSA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a pledge to intensify security cooperation. #PMBinEthiopia pic.twitter.com/HL9iLMCczZ
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) February 10, 2020
Foreign Trip Three: Belgium
On February 16, 2022, President Buhari was in the Belgian capital, Brussels. He was there for the African Union and European Union Summit.
Cold and rainy in Brussels, as President Buhari arrives for the AU/ EU summit beginning tomorrow pic.twitter.com/Zp2qa35stj
— Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) February 16, 2022
Foreign Trip Four: Kenya
The President on March 2, 2022, was in Nairobi, Kenya. He was there for Special Session on United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), which was celebrating 50 years.
President Buhari will today, depart Abuja for Nairobi, Kenya to participate in the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP). From Kenya, the President will proceed to London for routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of 2 weeks.
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) March 1, 2022
Foreign Trip Five: United Kingdom
On March 6, 2022, the president was in the United Kingdom, London for 13 days seeking medical assistance for his health.
Buhari reportedly handed over to his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, stating that he is not running the government alone.
Foreign Trip Six: Côte d’Ivoire
On 09-May-22, the President made a trip to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to attend a two-day United Nations-organised conference, the UN-COP-15 conference.
Foreign Trip Seven: United Arab Emirates
On the 19-May-22, President Muhammadu Buhari was in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates to meet with the country’s new President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in order to convey his condolences on the passing of the ex-President and ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
President Buhari arrives United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a condolence visit, meets with new president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to sympathise with him over the death of the former president.
For this and other news updates, visit our website: https://t.co/EnKO0qbPWj pic.twitter.com/u3Ao1cBoNx
— Hilltop Reporters (@hiltopReporters) May 20, 2022
Foreign Trip Eight: Equatorial Guinea
On 27-May-22 Malabo, the President was at the African Union Extra-ordinary Session of Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Foreign Trip Nine: Spain
On 31 May 22, Buhari was in Madrid, Spain, to meet with the Head of State of the Spanish nation, His Majesty King Felipe VI. They discussed issues of mutual interest between both countries.
Foreign Trip Ten: Ghana
On 04-Jun-22, President Buhari was in Accra, Ghana to attend an Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on the political situation in Mali and other parts of the sub-region.
Foreign Trip Eleven: Rwanda
On the 22-Jun-22, President Buhari made his eleventh foreign trip. This time, he was in Kigali, Rwanda for the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Foreign Trip Twelve: Portugal
On July 3rd, 2022, Mr President was in Lisbon, Portugal for a partnership meeting on oil and gas.
President Muhammadu Buhari departs Lisbon, Portugal and arrives Abuja
President Buhari alongside Ambassador of Nigeria to Portugal Amb. Alex Kefas with officials of Nigerian Embassy in Portugal shortly before departing Lisbon, Portugal for Abuja,Nigeria on 2nd July 2022 pic.twitter.com/jllU20Nozs
— COMRDE SULEIMAN ABUBAKAR BARDE (@Barde6767) July 2, 2022
Foreign Trip Thirteen: Senegal
On 06-Jul-22, President Buhari was in Dakar, Senegal to participate in the International Development Association (IDA) for Africa Summit.
Foreign Trip Fourteen: Liberia
On 26 July 22, the president arrived in Monrovia, Liberia for the country’s Independence Anniversary, where he charged West African leaders to ensure that elections are transparent and peaceful.
Foreign Trip Fifteen: United States
On 18-Sep-2, Mr President was in New York for the high-level meetings of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Foreign Trip Sixteen: South Korea
On the 22-Oct-22, President Buhari was in Seoul, South Korea to participate in the First World Bio Summit, 2022.
Foreign Trip Seventeen: United Kingdom
On the 31-Oct-22, President Buhari embarked on another medical trip to the United Kingdom, staying for thirteen days again.
Foreign Trip Eighteen: Niger Republic
On November 23, 2022, Mr President was in the Niger Republic where Boulevard was named after him.
Foreign Trip Nineteen: United States
On 11-Dec-22, the President was in Washington DC, USA to join other African leaders at the United States-Africa Leaders’ Summit, where he said “I’ve done my best for Nigeria.”
President @MBuhari has returned to Abuja after his participation in the US-Africa Leaders Summit, hosted by the U.S. President, Joe Biden in Washington DC. pic.twitter.com/mmc5dUmxW9
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) December 18, 2022
Torrents of criticisms have trailed the president’s incessant foreign trips amidst burgeoning security issues, left-right and centre, besetting the citizens.
Specifically, an attack on a convoy of cars carrying the Advance Team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Daura for Sallah, Tuesday, left two persons injured.
The Presidency in a statement described the incident as sad and unwelcome, the shooting near Dutsinma, Katsina State.
The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy, the statement signed by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said.
Similarly, Boko Haram terrorists launched a ferocious attack on Kuje Correctional Center Tuesday night, deploying bombs, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) and General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), freeing no less than 600 inmates, including Boko Haram fighters detained at the facility.
Six inmates and one security personnel were killed during the attack.
Both incidents coming barely a few hours prior to Buhari’s departure have prompted a public outcry, describing the President as insensitive to the people’s insecurity predicament.
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