Buhari Departs Abuja For South Africa, Today

President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja, today, on a three-day official visit to the Republic of South Africa.
The visit first announced several months ago, followed an invitation by his South African counterpart, 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 the two leaders.
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 Nigeria’s government commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property and promoting peaceful co-existence.
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 would sign a joint communiqué.
The President and his delegation including Nigerian business representatives would also participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.
The President will be accompanied by Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong; and Ebonyi State Governor, Engr David Umahi.
Others are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd); Minister of Power, Engr 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 (rtd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Chairman/CEO, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The President would return to Abuja on Friday.