The President’s visit is in response to an invitation from his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
While there, he will meet with King Felipe VI of Spain to discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries, which is expected to result in the signing of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding on a wide range of issues, including extradition and transfer of convicted persons, mutual legal assistance, cultural issues, cooperation in the fight against crime and enhancing security, and issues affecting dependants of diplomatic staff.
“Also on the agenda are cooperation on energy, trade, and investment, transportation, public health, and sports development,” Adesina said.
Buhari will still have visited eight countries in the last five months as a result of the trip.
In May, he paid a condolence visit to the United Arab Emirate after the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nayan, the country’s immediate past leader; Equatorial Guinea, where he attended the African Union’s Extraordinary Summit; and the Ivory Coast, where he attended the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Buhari also visited Brussels, Belgium in February when he joined other world leaders for the 6th European Union-African Union Summit; Nairobi Kenya in March, where he attended the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environmental Programme; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February for the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Africa Union Heads of State and Government; and London, the United Kingdom in March, for a two-week medical check-up.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, however, told our correspondents that there are many benefits inherent in all the trips.
“There are several takeaways from the President’s visits to these countries,” Shehu said.
On Buhari’s condolence visit to Abu Dhabi, he said “Nigeria has very strong economic and defense ties with the UAE.
“A few weeks ago, a brand-new warship for the Nigerian Navy was commissioned in Dubai and set sail to Nigeria. The Nigerian Army just procured 100 Mine Resistant Armoured Personnel Carriers from the UAE. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between Nigeria and the UAE.”
On the Brussels trip in February on which he accompanied the President, Shehu said, “The meeting in Belgium was a show of friendship, camaraderie, and equality between the two continents, and with what we have seen from its outcomes, the EU-Africa Summit will be gaining gravitas.”
The presidential spokesman also emphasized the accomplishments of the recently finished African Union conference in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
