Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday departed Abuja for Madrid, Spain for a state visit, which is at the invitation of the Spanish President, Pedro Sanchez.
According to the statement by the Presidency on Tuesday in Abuja, the President’s trip, which will be his first to Spain and he is scheduled to meet with the Head of State of the Spanish nation, His Majesty King Felipe VI.
It added that the Nigerian leader is expected to discuss issues of mutual interests to both countries, which will result in the signing of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding on a wide range of topics geared towards further enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations.
The prospective areas include Extradition and transfer of convicted persons, Mutual Legal Assistance, Cultural Matters, Cooperation towards fighting crime and enhancing security, as well as issues affecting dependants of diplomatic staff.
Others are Cooperation on Energy, Trade and Investment, Transportation, Public Health and Sports Development.
The Nigerian leader will also be the Special Guest at an Investment Forum jointly organised by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Trade, and the Confederation of Employers (CEOE), where he will speak to the gathering of top members of the Spanish business community and their Nigerian counterparts on the investment opportunities in Nigeria and ways of expanding the volume of trade as well as further collaborating for the development of the economies of both countries.
President Buhari will be accompanied on the state visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,Chief Adeniyi Adebayo; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare; and the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora among others.
President Buhari is expected back in the country on Friday, June 3.
Meanwhile King Felipe, and Queen Letizia of Spain on Tuesday sympathised with President Muhammadu Buhari on the recent tragedy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in southeastern Nigeria.
In a message addressed to President Buhari and signed by His Majesty the King, Felipe VI, the Monarch said: ‘‘Mr President, Upon learning of the terrible tragedy that occurred in the city of Port Harcourt, in which such a large number of people lost their lives, I wish to convey to you, on behalf of the Government and the people of Spain, our deepest condolences.”
‘‘The Queen joins me in sending, through you, all our support and solidarity to the families of the deceased and best wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.”
‘‘Receive, Mr President, the testimony of my highest consideration and esteem together with an affectionate greeting for the beloved people of Nigeria,’’ he said.
GIK/APA