President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday left Abuja for Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) themed ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’.
He was 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.
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Others in the president’s entourage are the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar and the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said at CHOGM 2022, Buhari would 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.
He said the Heads of Government were 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.
Adesina said Buhari would attend the official opening ceremony on June 24 followed by high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government on Friday 24 and Saturday.
“The leaders are expected to consider 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.
“Prior to this, the Nigerian delegation was drawn from the public, private and youth organisations participated in four forums covering youth, women, business and civil society; and will engage in ministerial meetings and several side events.
“On the margins of the meeting, the Nigerian leader is scheduled to deliver remarks at the high-level session of malaria and neglected tropical diseases summit and participate in an inter-generational dialogue for youths.”
He said the president would return to the country on Sunday.