President Buhari departs for Saudi Arabia today

Barely 24 hours after his inauguration for a second term in office, President Buhari will depart Nigeria for Saudi Arabia today Thursday, May 30th where he will join other world leaders to attend the Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.



The 14th session of the Summit Conference of the OIC, scheduled to hold on Friday, May 31, will be hosted by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and attended by Heads of State and Governments of Member States.



According to the OIC secretariat, the summit to be convened under the theme, “Makkah al-Mukarramah Summit: Hand in Hand toward the Future,” seeks to develop a unified stance on events in the Islamic world.



A statement released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Buhari, Garba Shehu says at the Summit, President Buhari is "expected to address the forum and underscore the need for member countries to unite and work together to combat common challenges such as terrorism and violent extremism."



The President will also push forward themes that have been at the forefront of his domestic and international priorities, including reviving the Lake Chad Basin, investing in Nigeria to create jobs and financing for development.



Governors Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State are expected to accompany him. Also on the delegation are the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mustapha Suleiman; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar; Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Ali Pantami; and the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Mukthar.



President Buhari is expected back to Nigeria on Saturday, June 2nd.