POLITICS»»» Top Seven reasons why Buhari Visit to Egypt is important ~~~ Garba Shehu

Sequel to the barrage of criticism that has trailed President
Muhammadu Buhari overseas trip with the trip to Egypt the latest among
several others, the senior special adviser to the president on media
and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu has highlighted seven important.
SOURCE:-Oluniyi Hisamotu | Topup9ja Staff


reasons that makes his recent visit to the Pyramid country necessary,
this include bilateral discussions on military intelligence, medical,
investment among several others.

Topup9ja Team get hold of the manuscript of his statement......


SEVEN TAKEAWAYS FROM PRESIDENT BUHARI'S VISIT TO EGYPT


"In the difficult moments of our history, looking precisely at the
period of Nigeria's war of unity 1966-1971, Egypt proved to be a
strategic partner from helping to train our military to support with
equipment and aircraft maintenance."

"In the course of his bilateral meeting with the Egyptian leader,
Abdul Fattah El-Sisi, President Muahmmadu Buhari recalled that in the
course of his service in the army, he too received military training
in Egypt."

"This 24-hour visit to to the Red Sea resort of Sharm Al-Shaikh was
not just a 'trip to Egypt' as it has been wrongly portrayed, as if it
were primarily bilateral in nature or a ritual courtesy call on
President Sisi. The purpose was to promote investment and job creation
in Nigeria and throughout West, Central and East Africa, together with
other African leaders"

"The Sharm el-Sheikh 'Africa 2016' conference aimed at tearing down
trade barriers between North and sub-Saharan Africa – a partnership
anchored by the continent's biggest and third-biggest economies (i.e.,
Nigeria and Egypt) by the injection of life into a 26-nation
free-trade pact signed by half the number of countries on the
continent a year ago."

"The organizers brought together more than 1200 delegates to Sharm
el-Sheikh, included among these the eight Presidents and Prime
Ministers, ministers of trade and investment, representatives of
global financial institutions, businessmen and investment executives."

"It is expected that this new pan-African initiative will directly
benefit Nigeria in its efforts to expand and diversify jobs and
exports beyond the oil industry – a core component of President
Buhari's economic vision for the country."

"Knocking down trade barriers within Africa will create new markets
for Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and other businesses."

"In his opening remarks, Egypt's President El-Sisi said that the forum
aimed at "pushing forward trade and investment in our continent to
strengthen Africa's place in the world economy."

"Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari who touted an extensive economic
agenda said that this is not without challenges."

"The new problem affecting investment is international
terrorism...lots of resources that could be used for development are
being diverted to address security issues."

"As he and many others noted, the only way this can be redressed is by
widening the participation of the private sector in African economies,
the very idea behind the conference in Egypt."

"One shining example of how this could be done came from the African
Development Bank, ADB which announced through its President, Nigeria's
Akinwumi Adesina that the bank would be investing 12 billion Dollars
in the energy sector in the coming five years to provide access to
electricity. There are 645 million Africans without access to
electricity."

"President Buhari's visit to Egypt wasn't limited to the business of
"Africa 2016" in its success, as it turned out to be one that is a
remarkable watershed in bilateral ties between the two states."

"While it was not surprising that El-Sisi rolled out the red carpet
for President Buhari in line with what many say is a plan by Egypt to
rebuild the country's money-spinning tourism industry in tatters since
the mid-air bombing in October of a Russian plane, killing all 223
tourists and crew, the truth is also that these two of Africa's three
biggest economies had been too far apart when it comes to trade. The
two leaders also bonded well with each other at their first meeting in
Addis Ababa early in the new year."

"By the last count, bilateral trade between the two states amounts to
a meager USD 100 million, with Egypt drawing about 80 percent of the
benefit.
Egyptian pharmaceutical companies are making good sales in Nigeria.
Egypt is Nigerians' preferred destination for medical tourism."

"Linked to this is their successful airline business trade in Nigeria.
Egypt Air makes seven weekly flights to Lagos, and six each to Abuja
and Kano."

"There is little or nothing to show from the Nigerian side and this
one of the things President Buhari wants to change."

"In welcoming our President to the bilateral discussion, the Egyptian
leader did not hide his joy at the acceptance of the Nigerian leader
to visit."

"The two leaders agreed to strengthen ties between their two states,
to reestablish that historical closeness which helped Nigeria remain a
single country decades ago."

"They talked about doing this through enhanced partnership and
cooperation in the areas of trade, security and defense."

"President Buhari welcomed Egypt's decision to strengthen strategic
cooperation and intelligence sharing with Nigeria and from this, a
framework for dealing with terrorism would emerge. For this, he gave
instructions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow up with a
meeting. Further progress is expected to follow on security and trade
issues. In addition, the President requested El-Sisi to promote
Egyptian investment in education in Nigeria."

"The two leaders also discussed a range of regional and global issues.
As to be expected, terrorism topped them all."

"They both expressed concern that the anarchy in Libya, a disturbing
situation that had provided a great impetus to terrorism in areas far
and around the failed state."

"The leaders also emphasized their cooperation on climate change and
energy issues."

"Experts in the field of diplomacy say that personal bond between two
leaders can help pave the way for better relations among states."

"In Nigeria and Egypt relations, there is a good chance of this
working to the benefit of the two states."