President Buhari Off To France, To Hold Talks On Security, Trade And Investment With Hollande

The talks are expected to focus on the war against terrorism and bilateral ties between the two countries.

The leaders are also expected to exchange views on the progress made so far and further support that could be given to Nigeria to end the insurgency

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Presi­dent, Mr Femi Adesina in a statement said that President Buhari who will meet with Hollande at the Elysee Palace, Paris, will also hold talks with other senior French Gov­ernment officials.

According to Adesina, the meetings will “will focus on further strengthening and consolidation of ongo­ing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and France in the areas of defence, security, trade and investments.”

President Buhari and his team will also confer with the French Minister of Defence, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, his Finance and Public Accounts counterpart, Mr. Michel Sapin, Minister of Econo­my and Industry, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and his Foreign Affairs and International Development counterpart, Mr. Laurent Fabius.

Hollande was the first foreign president to invite Buhari for a state visit shortly after he won the presidential election last March.

Hollande has played a pivotal role in the war against terrorism in Nigeria, and hosted a meeting last year of member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), which improved the collaboration between Nigeria, Chad, Cameroun and Niger in the fight against Boko Haram.