PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has left Abuja for Russia where he will attend the three-day Russia-Africa Summit taking place in the southern city of Sochi between October 23 and 24 to be attended by about 40 African nations.
To be co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Abdel el-Sisi of Egypt, the current chairman of the African Union, the summit will focus on the exploration and expansion of opportunities in security, trade and investment, science and technology and gas production. During the event, an African Business Forum, conceived to bring together African and Russian business leaders, will be held to enhance Russian investments in Africa and also promote African business interest in the host country.
During the summit, President Buhari will meet with President Putin, to further strengthen relations between Russia and Nigeria on issues bordering on security, trade and investment. His meeting with President Putin is aimed at building partnership meant to enhance Nigeria’s huge gas potential, following Russia’s remarkable success in gas exportation.
President Buhari is being accompanied to Russia by governors Muhammad Yahaya, Bello Matawalle and Kayode Fayemi of Gombe, Zamfara and Ekiti states. Others on the official entourage include foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama, trade and industry minister Adeniyi Adebayo, minister of mines and steel development Olamilekan Adegbite and minister of state for petroleum, Timipre Sylva.
