Buhari in Germany with Nigeria’s ‘Wish List’

In line with the request of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialised countries, President Muhammadu Buhari arrived Munich, Germany, sunday armed with a “wish list” for Nigeria

The G7 had before his inauguration asked Buhari to prepare a shopping list and come with it for its consideration, in what was seen as a goodwill gesture towards the new leader and the country.

Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement from Munich said topmost on the list of requests that Buhari will tender before the G7 leaders was security.

“We have a problem which they know,” Buhari was quoted as stating.

The president said he had used every opportunity at his disposal ahead of the G7 meeting to discuss the country’s needs with specific reference to terrorism and development needs at person-to-person meetings and phone conversations with some of the group’s leaders.

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

According to him, the leaders of the industrialised nations had shown a preparedness to work with Nigeria to help the country out of her problems.

Buhari will hold meetings on the sidelines of the summit with Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, US President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande, UK Prime Minister, David Cameron; Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper; Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe; and the World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim.

During the two-day visit, he will participate in the G-7 outreach programme for invited heads of government and global institutions.
Buhari was received on arrival by the Vice Minister-President of Bavaria, Mrs. Inge Aigner.

Shehu, in the statement, said Buhari was accompanied on the trip by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State; former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola; Gen. A. Dambazau (rtd.); and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Paul B. Lolo.

Other invited heads of state and international institutions who will join the president at the working session with G-7 leaders monday at Elmau Castle, 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.

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

The head of the Bavarian regional government hosted a dinner in honour of Buhari and other leaders invited to the G-7 outreach programme last night.