By Eseoghene Emuke & Ovie Okpare
President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow (Wednesday) travel to South Africa on a three-day state visit following the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in that country.
Buhari will be joined on the visit by governors of Ebonyi, Kano and Plateau States, and some ministers.
The Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to President Buhari, Mallam Garba Shehu, disclosed this on Tuesday in a tweet on his verified Twitter handle.
Shehu said Buhari was visiting on the invitation of the South African President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.
He said during the visit both presidents will discussed the welfare of Nigerians following the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians by South Africans.
Shehu said, “President President Muhammadu Buhari departs Abuja Wednesday on a three-day State Visit to the Republic of South Africa, following an invitation by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to discuss welfare of Nigerians, and find common grounds for building harmonious relations with their hosts.
“The visit comes against the background of recent #xenophobicattacks, the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians and the exchange of visits by Special Envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa.”
The presidential spokesman noted that during the visit, President Buhari will hold a town hall meeting Nigerians living in South Africa.
It added that both presidents will also preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission and sign a communiqué at the ending of the meeting on promoting peaceful co-existence among citizens.
“While in South Africa, the Nigerian leader 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”, Shehu added.
According to the statement, 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.
He added, “Others are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, @GeoffreyOnyeama; Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd); Minister of Power, Eng. Saleh Mamman; Minister of Interior, @raufaregbesola; 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.”
