Buhari travels to UAE to condole with new President

President Muhammadu Buhari will this Thursday travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a condolence visit.

The Nigerian leader will condole with the new President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, over the passing of the former president and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesperson, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Shehu said that Buhari will, during the visit, also extend his congratulations to the new President, renewing bonds of the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and the UAE.

Buhari, in an earlier congratulatory message to the new UAE leader, had reiterated Nigeria’s cordial relationship with the country.

He said that the cooperation between both governments has helped Nigeria in tracking down illegal assets and tracing terrorist funds.

Buhari further said that under the new leadership, he looks forward to a bigger and stronger partnership for peace, stability and prosperity of both countries.

Among those to accompany the president’, according to the statement include the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada; the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello; and the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

Others are the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai.

The President is expected back in the country on Saturday.