Security tops Buhari’s wish list to G7

Top on the list of the requests President Muhammadu Buhari will present to the G7 leaders in Germany is the security issue.The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said in a statement last night that Buhari arrived Munich, Germany, with the “wish list” of Nigeria to G7 in line […]

Top on the list of the requests President Muhammadu Buhari will present to the G7 leaders in Germany is the security issue.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said in a statement last night that Buhari arrived Munich, Germany, with the “wish list” of Nigeria to G7 in line with the demand of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized countries.
G7 is a forum of the world’s seven most industrialized countries of United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan which meets annually to deliberate on global economy, governance, international security and energy policy.
Shehu 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.
“We have a problem which they know”, he quoted the president as saying.
He said Buhari noted that he had used every opportunity at his disposal ahead of this 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 these 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.
“President Buhari announced that the leaders of the industrialized nations have shown a preparedness to work with Nigeria to help the country out of her problems. President Buhari 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”, he said.
Earlier, Shehu had said that Buhari arrived Munich, Germany, around 3.25pm yesterday for a two-day official visit during which he will participate in the G-7 Outreach program for invited heads of government and global institutions.
He said Buhari, who was received on arrival by the Vice Minister-President of Bavaria, Mrs. Inge Aigner, was accompanied by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Gen. A. Dambazau (rtd.) and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Paul B. Lolo.
He listed other invited Heads of State and international institutions expected to join Buhari at the working session with G-7 leaders today at Elmau as including Presidents Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Macky Sall of Senegal and Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia as well as Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia.
Shehu said Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi of Iraq, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, Secretary-General of the OECD Angel Gurria, IMF Managing Director Christine Largarde, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, Director-General of the International Labour Organization Guy Rider, African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and World Trade Organisation Director-general were also scheduled to participate in today’s Outreach Session with G-7 leaders.
He said before returning home today, Buhari would hold bilateral talks with the Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada on the sidelines of the G-7 Outreach Programme.
According to him, the president is also expected to meet US 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.
Shehu said the Head of the Bavarian regional government would host a dinner in honour of Buhari and other leaders invited to the G-7 Outreach Programme last nigt.