President Buhari jets out to UAE to meet country’s new ruler –

President Muhammadu Buhari will meet the new President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to convey his condolences on the passing of the former president and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

This was disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Thursday.

In a statement, Shehu said Buhari will depart Abuja on Thursday and use the visit to extend his congratulations to the new President, renewing bonds of the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and the UAE.

The President, in an earlier congratulatory message to the new UAE leader had reaffirmed Nigeria’s cordial relationship with the country, noting that the cooperation between both governments have helped Nigeria in tracking down illegal assets and tracing terrorist funds.

Under the new leadership, President Buhari looks forward to a bigger and stronger partnership for peace, stability and prosperity of both countries.

President Buhari will be accompanied by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami; Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello; and Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

Other members of his delegation are the National Security Adviser, Major General Mohammed Monguno (retd); and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

The President is expected back in the country on Saturday.