Nigeria’s number one citizen, President Muhammadu Buhari would be departing the country today to join his counterparts at the ongoing 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda.
Naija News understands that the event had commenced on Monday, June 20 and would end on June 26, 2022.
Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina confirmed in a statement released earlier today that his principal will depart Abuja on Wednesday to join other leaders to participate in discussions focused on the progress and prosperity of the more than two billion people living in the 54 independent countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific that make up the Commonwealth.
The theme for CHOGM 2022 is ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming,’ and the Heads of Government are expected to reaffirm their commitment to upholding the Commonwealth Charter, which focuses on democracy, human rights, the rule of law, as well as economic opportunities and sustainable development, Naija News understands.
The statement disclosed further that the leaders would extend their discussion to a range of topical issues including post COVID-19 economic recovery, debt sustainability, climate change, poverty reduction, youth entrepreneurship and employment, trade and food security.
The official opening ceremony according to Adesina would be on June 24 followed by high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June.
“Prior to this, the Nigerian delegation drawn from the public, private and youth organisations participated in four forums covering youth, women, business and civil society will engage in ministerial meetings and several side events,” Adesina revealed in the statement.0
Naija News understands that President Buhari is also expected to deliver remarks at the High-Level Session of Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Summit and participate in an Intergenerational Dialogue for Youth.
The Nigerian leader will also hold bilateral talks with some leaders from the Commonwealth countries.
President Buhari according to Adesina, would be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami.
Others in the President’s entourage are the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd) Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar and the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NidCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
President Buhari is expected to return to Nigeria on Sunday, June 26, 2022, immediately after the closure of the event.
Add Comment