AU summit: Buhari to depart Abuja Thursday for Niger Republic

President Muhammadu Buhari, will, on Thursday, depart Abuja to attend an African Union summit scheduled to hold in Niger Republic.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, announced the development in a statement on Wednesday.

He said, “President Muhammadu Buhari will embark on an official trip to Niamey, the Republic of Niger to attend the African Union Summit on Industrialisation and Economic Diversification, as well as the Extraordinary Session on African Continental Free Trade Area.

“The President who will depart Abuja on Thursday, November 24, 2022 will also attend the launching of French version of the Book entitled ‘Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria’, as well as inaugurate the ‘Muhammadu Buhari Boulevard’, named after him by the Government of the Republic of Niger.

“The naming of the Boulevard and launch of the French version of the Book, written by John Paden, a Professor of International Studies at George Mason University, northern Virginia, United States, on Thursday precedes the AU Summit on Friday, November 25, 2022.

“President Buhari is expected to deliver his National Statement at the African Union Summit on Industrialisation and Economic Diversification, meeting under the theme ‘Industrialising Africa: Renewed commitment towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and Economic Diversification’.

“The High-Level Summit, being convened as part of the Africa Industrialisation Week annual commemorative activities, is expected to adopt a Declaration, highlighting the importance of industrialisation and economic transformation in the continent and how to make progress in that regard.

“The 20th of every November is commemorated as the Africa Industrialisation Day, adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity in July 1989, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.”

On the AfCFTA event, Shehu said the extraordinary session will focus on adopting “the Phase II Protocols of the continental free trade area as well launch additional operation tools”.

In December 2019, the federal government inaugurated the national action committee for the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement which was reached in 2019, and signalled the first phase of the protocol.

Shehu said those who will travel with the president include Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs; Bashir Magashi, minister of defence; Adeniyi Adebayo, minister of industry, trade and investment; Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance; Babagana Monguno, national security adviser; and Ahmed Abubakar, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency.

Buhari is expected back in the country on Friday.