Again, Buhari Departs Nigeria For UAE Amid Concerns Over Omicron Variant Outbreak In Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja today (Wednesday) to attend EXPO 2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, despite rising concerns over the outbreak of Omicron Variant of COVID19 in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, announced the outbreak of the variant some hours ago leading to a ban on travellers from Nigeria to Canada and some countries.

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Despite the outbreak of the variant in South Africa, where the variant was first detected, its President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa is in Nigeria on a day visit.

A statement released by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said the Expo with the theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, creates the environment for Nigeria to join over 190 countries to forge true and meaningful partnerships “to build a better future for everyone.”

According to the statement, the Expo will provide another opportunity for the Nigerian delegation to highlight significant strides in the economy in the last six years as a basis for making the country an important destination for foreign direct investment.

Aside touring the Nigerian Pavilion at the Expo on Friday, Nigeria’s National Day, the statement further informed that the President will also receive in audience prospective investors as well as meet with His Highness, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai.

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Then on Saturday, the President will be the Special Guest of Honour at the special Trade and Investment Forum themed: Unveiling Investment Opportunities in Nigeria. It is put together to mark Nigeria’s presence at the gathering by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

The statement said the President will be accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd); Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; and Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar.

Others are: Ministers of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami; Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite; Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Maryam Katagum, the National Security Adviser , Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd), Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission , Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Buhari is expected back in Abuja on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

The president had arrived Nigeria less than one month ago after spending nearly three weeks in the United Kingdom and France before attending an event in South Africa.

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He had also spent over two weeks on medical treatment in the United Kingdom in August with THE WHISTLER reporting that the President by August had spent one day out of every ten days outside Nigeria since becoming President.

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