President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Thursday on a condolence visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Buhari will meet with the new President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to convey his condolences on the passing of the former president and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Recall that Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose modernisation policies helped transform his country into a regional powerhouse, died on May 13 at the age of 73. He was president of the UAE since 2004.
Read Also: Just In: UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Dies At 73
The President’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday, May 19, in Abuja.
According to the presidential aide, the Nigerian leader will also extend his congratulations to the new President, renewing bonds of the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and the UAE.
President Buhari, in an earlier congratulatory message to the new UAE leader, had reaffirmed Nigeria’s cordial relationship with the country.
He noted that the cooperation between both governments has helped Nigeria in tracking down illegal assets and tracing terrorist funds.
According to Buhari, under the new leadership, he looks forward to a bigger and stronger partnership for peace, stability and prosperity for both countries.
Read Also: Suspend Strike – Buhari Implores ASUU As Students Face Weeks Of Despair
The president will be accompanied by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, and the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika.
Other members of his delegation are the National Security Adviser, retired Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai.
The President is expected back in the country on Saturday.
Abu Dhabi, which holds most of the Gulf state’s oil wealth, has held the presidency since the founding of the UAE federation by Sheikh Khalifa’s father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 1971.
