President Buhari will on Wednesday October 2nd, depart Abuja on a
three-day State Visit to the Republic of South Africa, following an
invitation by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to discuss the welfare of
Nigerians, and find common grounds for building harmonious relations
with their hosts.
The visit comes against the background of recent xenophobic attacks, the
evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians and the exchange of visits by
Special Envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa.
A statement released by Garba Shehu, the Special Adviser to President
Buhari on Media and Publicity, says while in South Africa, President
Buhari will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the
country, with a view to sharing in their experiences and reassuring them
of Nigerian government’s commitment to working for the protection of
their lives and property and promoting peaceful co-existence.
President Buhari and his host will preside over the South Africa/Nigeria
Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report will be
presented. At the end of the meeting, both leaders will sign a joint
communiqué.
The President and his delegation including Nigerian business
representatives will also participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business
Forum with their host counterparts” the statement reads
President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
of Kano State, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Governor David
Umahi of Ebonyi State.
Others are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of
Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd); Minister of Power, Eng. Saleh
Mamman; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Mines and
Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite; Minister of Police
Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; and Minister of State, Industry, Trade and
Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagum.
Also on the trip are: National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana
Monguno (retd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb.
Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Chairman/CEO Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Hon.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The President will return to Abuja on Friday.