Politics 10 Important Foreign Trips Made By President Buhari In Last 2 Years

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One of the criticisms against the administration President Buhari in the last 2 years is his foreign trips. Mr. Buhari had embarked on not less than 30 foreign trips since his inauguration two years ago. In an investigation by Sahara Reporters, detailing the important financial cost of journeys undertaken by President Buhari and his team, a normal two-day long Buhari trip reportedly rates between $350,000 and $500,000.

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However, Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama leapt to Buhari’s defence. “There are three immediate, concrete dividends from his trips,” Onyeama argues. He lists these as security, anti-corruption and the economy.

Investigations showed that the President travelled abroad 17 times in 2015 and not less than13 times in 2016. Though limited because of the ailment – which has mostly docked him in UK for medical treatment – he has also embarked on a number of travels in 2017. Prominent was the brokering peace talks in The Gambia among other African leaders.

But, below are some of the most important trips he has embarked on since the beginning of his administration.

1. June 3 and 4, 2015 – Shortly after his inauguration, Buhari on June 3 and 4, 2015 travelled to the Niger Republic and Chad Republic for consultations on how to tackle terrorism in the country and the region.

2. On June 7, 2015, he travelled to Germany to attend the G-7 summit and proceeded to South Africa on June 13, 2015 for the African Union Summit in continuation of talks on anti-terrorism fight.

3. In July 2015, the President embarked on a four-day official visit to the United States of America on the 19th and proceeded to Cameroon for a two-day visit on the 29th.

4. On November 22, 2015, the President travelled to Tehran, Iran for the third Gas Exporting Countries’ Forum; on November 26 he proceeded to Malta to participate in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting while he travelled to Paris, France on November 29 for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

5. On December 3, 2015, Buhari went to South Africa to participate in the Forum on China/Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg while he travelled to the Republic of Benin on December 10 for the funeral rites of late President Mathieu Kerekou.

6. He Was Out of the Country 4 Times in January 2016 – The President travelled out of the country four times in January 2016. The trips included the one he embarked on January 8 to Cotonou, Benin Republic for a meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the Niger Basin Authority; his January 17 three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates; his January 27 three-day official visit to Kenya; and his January 29 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s trip for the 26th Summit of African Union Heads of State and Government.

7. 5 Trips In February 2016 – Buhari embarked on foreign trips five times in February 2016.

They included his February 2 trip to Strasbourg, France to address a special session of the European Union Parliament; his February 3 trip to London for Supporting Syria and The Region Conference; his February 19 trip to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt to participate in the Business for Africa, Egypt and the World Forum; his February 22 trip to Saudi Arabia for talks with King Salman Al Saud and lesser hajj, as well as his February 29 trip to Doha, Qatar for talks with Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani.

8. March 2016 – In March 2016, Buhari travelled twice. He travelled on March 14 to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea for conclusion of agreement on Joint Maritime Policing and on March 29 to Washington DC for the 4th Nuclear Security Summit.

9. December 2016 – January 2017: President Buhari among some African leaders embarked on number of trips to The Gambia for peace and persuasive talks with former dicttor, Yahaya Jammeh over his reluctance to exit office after his electoral loss in the country’s presidential election that took place early in December 2016.

10. Medical Trips: Early January 2017. President Buhari wrote the parliament informing of his need to travel to the UK for medical attention for an undisclosed ailment.

June 19 2016, President Buhari wrote to the Senate to go on vacation on a short medical vacation from 6th-16th of June, 2016 for an ear infection treatment.
On 5 February, Buhari asked the parliament to extend medical leave. He returned to the country March 10, 2017 saying “he has never been so sick”,

On 7 May, 2017, he travelled to UK for further treatment. He has not returned yet.

However it is, the are are some major breakthroughs from Buhari's trips abroad. They have become part of Nigerian diplomacy and international relations since such trips were first made. Some breakthroughs from the trips can be found here
 
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