Bienvenue en France, Monsieur le Président

 

President Muhammadu Buhari arrived Paris, France, shortly before midnight on Sunday, on a four-day official visit.

The visit will see the President attend African Finance Summit which will focus on reviewing African economy, following shocks from coronavirus pandemic, and getting relief, especially from increased debt burden on countries, according to a statement at the weekend by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

The Summit, to be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, will draw major stakeholders in the global finance institutions and some Heads of Government, who will, collectively, discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.

During the visit, President Buhari will meet with the French President to discuss growing security threats in Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking spread of Covid-19, with more research and vaccines.

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The President will receive some key players in the oil and gas sector, engineering and telecommunications, European Council and European Union Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission, and members of the Nigerian community.

On his entourage are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, and Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

Also, on the trip are: National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mohammed Monguno (rtd) and Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.