President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday depart Nigeria for Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a two-day visit to the country.

This was disclosed via a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Thursday.

Shehu stated that President Buhari, while in Abu Dhabi, will meet the new UAE President, 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.

He added that Buhari will also extend his congratulations to the new President and renew bonds of the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and the UAE.

The presidential spokesperson added: “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.

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“Under the new leadership, President Buhari looks forward to a bigger and stronger partnership for peace, stability, and prosperity of both countries.”

He disclosed that President Buhari will be accompanied by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami; Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello; and the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

Other members of his delegation include the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Monguno (Rtd); and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Shehu stated that President Buhari will return to Abuja on Saturday.

The Star