G7 Summit: Buhari’s wish list

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday arrived in Munich, Germany, at about 15.25 hours to begin a two-day official visit, in the course of which he will participate in the G-7 Outreach Programme for invited heads of government and global institutions.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President was received on arrival by the Vice Minister-President of Bavaria, Mrs. Inge Aigner.

Buhari was accompanied on the trip by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State; former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN); a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.); and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Paul Lolo.

According to the statement, other invited Heads of State and international institutions who will join Buhari at the working session with G-7 leaders on Monday at Elmau include President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia.

Others scheduled to participate in the Monday’s session with G-7 leaders are the Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi of Iraq; the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon; the Secretary-General of the OECD, Mr. Angel Gurria; the Managing Director of the IMF, Mrs. Christine Largarde; the President of the World Bank Group, Dr. Jim Yong Kim; the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, Mr. Guy Rider; the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mrs. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

Before leaving Munich for Nigeria on Monday, Buhari will hold bilateral talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada on the sidelines of the G-7 Outreach Programme.

He is also expected to meet President Barack Obama, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain and other G-7 leaders in the course of the Outreach Session and a working lunch at the Elmau Castle.

The Head of the Bavarian regional government is scheduled to host a dinner in honour of Buhari and other leaders invited to the G-7 Outreach Programme on Sunday (evening).

Government officials who saw Buhari off at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday included the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase; Commander of the Brigade of Guards, Brig.-Gen. Anthony Omozogie; an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sikiru Akande; and the Assistant Director, Security, Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nebere Yeih, among others.

Meanwhile, the security problem being witnessed in parts of the country, efforts aimed at waging war against corruption and the nation’s power problem will top the list of requests President Buhari will present to G7 Summit, holding in Germany.

Shehu, who is currently on Buhari’s entourage, disclosed this in a statement from Munich on Sunday.

Shehu said Buhari arrived in Munich, Germany, on Sunday armed with the “wish list” of Nigeria in line with the demand of the G7 industrialised countries.

He said the G7 had earlier requested Buhari to prepare a shopping list and come with it for their consideration in what is seen as an excellent goodwill gesture towards the new leader and the country.

He said top on the list the President would tender before the G7 leaders is on the problem of security.

“We have a problem which they know,” Shehu quoted Buhari as saying.

He further quoted the President as adding that he had used every opportunity at his disposal ahead of the meeting to discuss the country’s needs with specific reference to terrorism and development needs at person-to-person meetings and telephone conversations with some of these leaders.

“These development issues, many and varied as they are, touch on the economy, combating corruption, increased foreign direct investment; power and energy, infrastructure, environment, enhanced transparency in elections and good governance,” he added.

Buhari announced that the leaders of the industrialised nations have shown a preparedness to work with Nigeria to help the country out of her problems.

The President will hold meetings on the sidelines with the host, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel; the French President, Francois Hollande; Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper; the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe; and the World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim.

Source: Punch