Xenophobic attacks: Buhari to visit South Africa wednesday

President Muhammadu Buhari departs Abuja Wednesday on a three-day State visit to the Republic of South Africa over the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, in a statement made available to State House correspondents on Tuesday in Abuja, said the State visit followed an invitation by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa to discuss welfare of Nigerians, and find common grounds for building harmonious relations with their hosts.

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 Ramaphosa.

Garba Shehu noted that while in South Africa, the Nigerian leader would hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country, with a view to sharing their experiences and reassuring them of Nigerian government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property as well as promoting peaceful co-existence.

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Buhari and his host would preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report would be presented.

At the end of the meeting, both leaders would sign a joint communiqué.

Shehu said the President and his delegation including Nigerian business representatives would also participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.

“President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.

“Others are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd); Minister of Power, Eng. Saleh Mamman; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite; Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; and Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagum.

“Also on the trip are National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Chairman/CEO Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

“The President will return to Abuja on Friday,” the statement said.