President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for Netherlands.
Buhari is scheduled to participate in activities commemorating the
20th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.
NAN reports that the presidential aircraft conveying the president
and some of his aides left the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, Abuja at about 1.30 p.m.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, the Minister
of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Musa Bello and the
Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim were among government
officials at the airport to bid the President farewell.
Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and
Publicity on Saturday disclosed that Buhari was the only world leader
invited to deliver a keynote address during the Solemn Hearing to
commemorate the anniversary at Courtroom 1 of the ICC’s Headquarters at
The Hague.
He said: “In buttressing Nigeria’s commitment as a member of the
Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, the
President, as the current anti-corruption champion for the African
Union, will use the global platform to reaffirm Nigeria’s support to the
fundamental values of the Rome Statute and to the ideals of the ICC.’’
Adesina said the President would also highlight his administration’s campaign against corruption in Nigeria at the event.
The presidential aide further revealed that, after the event at the
Courtroom, the President would have a bilateral meeting with the ICC
Prosecutor, Ms Fatou Bensouda.
He said that Buhari would also attend a dinner hosted by Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, the President of the ICC who is a Nigerian.
“The Nigerian leader, while in The Hague, will meet with the Prime
Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, to discuss bilateral issues
such as migration, peace and security, and economic cooperation.
“The President and his delegation will have a separate round table
with some Dutch Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of companies based in
Nigeria with a view to urging them to expand their investments,
especially in agriculture, oil and gas in Nigeria,’’ Adesina added.
He said Buhari would also tour the Port of Rotterdam and Shell refinery in Pernis, Hoogvliet.
According to Adesina, on the margins of the President’s visit,
Nigeria and the Netherlands will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on
bilateral consultations.
