Buhari, Mongono, Onyeama, others to embark on a trip, see date

President Buhari, Mongono, Magashi, Onyeama, others to embark on a trip on Thursday.

President Mahammadu Buhari, will join the Heads of State and Government of Senegal, Cote d’ Ivoire, Rwanda, Mauritania, Togo and Liberia to mark the 47th independence anniversary of Guinea Bissau.

In Guinea Bissau, President Buhari is expected to also commission a road named in his honour by the host government.

In a statement issued by the President’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, the Nigerian leader and other invited Heads of State will attend an official lunch hosted by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau.

With a military coup in that country, Nigeria in 2012 deployed troops under the auspices of ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) to maintain peace.

President Buhari had in response to a request for assistance by the Government of Guinea Bissau, during its last legislative elections, donated $500,000 dollars, 17 vehicles and 350 electoral kits to support the country’s electoral process.

The President received President Embalo in Abuja, in May this year, during which the Nigerian leader congratulated his counterpart on his confirmation as President, promising him of Nigeria’s support to the new government in Guinea Bissau.

The Nigerian troops were only withdrawn on September 10, 2020, after the return of stability to the West African country.

Nigeria and Guinea Bissau established diplomatic relations in 1974.

Meanwhile, President Buhari will be accompanied by top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd) and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

President Buhari is expected to return to Abuja at the end of the ceremonies on Thursday.