The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will on Thursday, embark on an official trip to Niamey, the Nigerien capital 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 the 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,” a statement signed by the President’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, read on Wednesday.
The statement is titled ‘President Buhari to attend AU summit on industrialisation and economic diversification in Niamey, Niger.’
The naming of the Boulevard and launch of the French version of the Book, written by a Professor of International Studies at George Mason University, Northern Virginia, United States, John Paden, on Thursday precedes the AU Summit on Friday, November 25, 2022.
The statement read in part, “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 Industrialisation and Economic Diversification.
“The High-Level Summit, being convened as part of the Africa Industrialization Week annual commemorative activities, is expected to adopt a Declaration, highlighting the importance of industrialization and economic transformation in the continent and how to make progress in that regard.
“The 20th of every November is commemorated as the Africa Industrialization Day, adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity in July 1989, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.”
Meanwhile, the Extraordinary Session on AFCFTA is expected to adopt the Phase II Protocols of the continental free trade area as well as launch additional operation tools.
Nigeria has continued to demonstrate a high level of commitment toward the full operationalisation of a pan-African free trade area that will create a single market for goods and services, liberalise and facilitate the movement of investment and business people across the continent.
On July 7, 2019, Nigeria signed the AfCFTA agreement in Niamey during the 12th Extraordinary session of the Assembly and launch of the operational phase of the trade deal.
The country ratified its membership of the AfCFTA on November 11, 2020.
The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.), Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.) and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar.
Buhari is expected back in Abuja on Friday, November 25.
