The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), is set to seek help from his France counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on growing issues of insecurity, COVID-19, the economy as well as climate change.
This was disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the president, Garba Shehu, in a statement released on Saturday.

According to Shehu, Buhari will on Sunday depart Abuja for Paris, France, on a four-day official visit in order to attend an African Finance Sumit hosted by Macron.

Shehu revealed that the president would engage Macron on the “growing security threats in Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking spread of Covid-19, with more research and vaccines.”

According to the statement titled, ‘President Buhari to participate in African Finance Summit in Paris, meet with Emmanuel Macron on security’, Buhari’ and some Heads of Government would discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.

The statement read: “President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday, May 16, 2021, depart Abuja for Paris, France, on a four-day official visit to attend African Finance Summit which will be focused on reviewing African economy, following shocks from Coronavirus pandemic, and getting relief, especially from increased debt burden on countries.

“The Summit, to be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, will draw major stakeholders in the global finance institutions and some Heads of Government, who will, collectively, discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.

“During the visit, President Buhari will meet with the French President to discuss growing security threats in Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations, economic ties, climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking spread of Covid-19, with more research and vaccines.

“Before returning to Nigeria, President Buhari will receive some key players in the oil and gas sector, engineering and telecommunications, European Council and European Union Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission, and members of the Nigerian community.

“The President will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, and Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

“Also on the trip are: National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mohammed Monguno (rtd) and Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.”