Buhari off to Rwanda for 2022 CHOGM
President Muhammadu Buhari will depart the country, Wednesday, for Kigali, in Rwanda, to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The summit which kicked off Monday with events will get into gear in the coming days.
The CHOGM 2022 which runs from June 20 to 26, has as theme; “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.”
Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, who confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, informed that his principal will join other leaders in discussions on the progress and prosperity of the more than two billion people living in the 54 independent countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific that make up the Commonwealth.
“The Heads of Government are expected to reaffirm their commitment to upholding the Commonwealth Charter, which focuses on democracy, human rights, the rule of law, as well as economic opportunities and sustainable development,” he said.
The Nigerian leader, according to the media aide, will attend the official opening ceremony on June 24, followed by high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June.
“The leaders are expected to consider a range of topical issues including post COVID-19 economic recovery, debt sustainability, climate change, poverty reduction, youth entrepreneurship and employment, trade and food security.
“Prior to this, the Nigerian delegation drawn from the public, private and youth organisations participated in four forums covering youth, women, business and civil society; and will engage in ministerial meetings and several side events.
“On the margins of the meeting, the Nigerian leader is scheduled to deliver remarks at the High-Level Session of Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Summit and participate in an Intergenerational Dialogue for Youth.
“President Buhari is also expected to hold bilateral talks with some leaders from the Commonwealth countries,” Adesina further stated.
The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami.
Others in the president’s entourage include; the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd), Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufa’i and the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The President is expected back in the country on Sunday, June 26.