TheCable

At least seven ministers will accompany President Muhammadu Buhari to South Africa on a visit which is at the instance of Cyril Ramaphosa, his South African counterpart.

The ministers are Saleh Mamman (power), Rauf Aregbesola (interior), Olamilekan Adegbite (mines and steel development), Maigari Dingyadi (police affairs); and Mariam Katagum, minister of state, industry, trade and investment, Bashir Magashi (defence) and Geoffrey Onyeama (foreign affairs).

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, David Umahi and Simon Lalong, his Ebonyi and Plateau counterparts are also in the delegation of the president on the trip scheduled for Wednesday.

In a statement, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said Buhari will discuss the welfare of Nigerians in the country with Ramaphosa during the visit.

He added that the two leaders will also look towards common grounds for Nigerians to “build harmonious relations with their hosts.”

About 500 Nigerians were recently evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks in the country.

Shehu said during the visit, the president will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country “with a view to sharing in their experiences and reassuring them of Nigerian government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property.”

“President Buhari and his host will preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report will be presented. At the end of the meeting, both leaders will sign a joint communiqué,” Shehu said in the statement.

“The president and his delegation including Nigerian business representatives will also participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.”