The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, says contrary to public opinion, President Buhari has not even made enough foreign trips since coming into office in 2015.
Since assuming office in 2015, President Buhari has so far embarked on 55 foreign trips. Many Nigerians have condemned the foreign trips, arguing that they were one too many.
While speaking at a Ministerial briefing in Abuja today February 2, Onyeama said the foreign trips are not enough given the level of consultations the president needs to make with his counterparts in Nigeria?s interest.
?It is not true that Buhari?s foreign trips have been too many. I would disagree with that assertion. I would say it is not even enough. You cannot imagine what he achieves with what he does with his personal interactions between him and his foreign counterparts. Buhari is Nigeria?s number one foreign minister and if I had my way, I would say he should even do more trips to more countries because like I said before Buhari is the best president we have had in this country.
I am not surprised because there is an adage that says that a prophet is never respected in his own country. If you know the affection and the respect in which Buhari is held by other world leaders, it is breathtaking when you are present and you see that and very often they insist on him coming even when he says it is not possible for him to come,? Onyeama said.
He mentioned that the foreign trips have so far attracted a lot of foreign direct investments into Nigeria.
?A lot of engagement with other countries has brought in a lot of foreign investments into the country with huge monetary value. This has been possible because the president visits these leaders and speaks with them personally. We cannot necessarily quantify it. We only do the framework to facilitate those investments while the ministry of finance is best placed to handle the figures in terms of monetary value to Nigeria? he said
