Buhari jets out to Abu Dhabi to meet new UAE President
By Uzair Adam Imam
President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja Thursday for United Arab Emirates (UAE) to commiserate with the new UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, over the death of Sheikh Kalifa bin Zayed.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed is the former president of the UAE and died on Friday at the age of 73. Until his death, he was the UAE president for 18 good years.
A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, disclosed.
The statesmen added that President Buhari will also extend his congratulations to the new President as a way to renew bonds of the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and the UAE.
According to the statement, President Buhari will be accompanied by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, and the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.
“The President, in an earlier congratulatory message to the new UAE leader, had reaffirmed Nigeria’s cordial relationship with the country, noting that the cooperation between both governments have helped Nigeria in tracking down illegal assets and tracing terrorist funds.
“Under the new leadership, President Buhari looks forward to a bigger and stronger partnership for peace, stability and prosperity of both countries.
“The President is expected back in the country on Saturday,” the statement added.