President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday departed Abuja for Waterloof Air Force Base, Pretoria, to begin a three-day official visit to South Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the president left the Presidential Villa at about 1:30 p.m. for Pretoria via the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
WITHIN NIGERIA earlier reported that the President presided over the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The visit comes against the background of recent xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians and the exchange of visits by special envoys of Presidents Buhari and Cyril Ramaphosa.
President Buhari will hold bilateral meeting with his South African counterpart, President Ramaphosa, to discuss the welfare of Nigerians.
The two African leaders will also find common grounds for building harmonious relations among their respective citizens.
President Buhari will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country to share in their experiences.
An earlier statement on the trip issued by Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s spokesperson, said the Nigerian leader would use the opportunity to reassure Nigerians in South Africa of the Nigerian government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property and promoting peaceful co-existence.
The president is expected back in Abuja on Friday.
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