Spain Visit: Buhari on way back to Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari departed Madrid on a return journey to Abuja on Friday at the end of a three-day state visit.
The president’s aircraft took off from the Torrejon Airbase, Madrid at about 8:20 a.m. local time for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He is expected to be at the weekly Friday Juma’at prayer at the Aso Villa in the afternoon.
Mr Buhari met with President Pedro Sanchez as well as the Spanish monarch, His Majesty King Felipe VI, on Wednesday.
At the meeting with President Sanchez, Nigeria and Spain signed nine agreements and memoranda of understanding covering a Treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced persons and extradition.
Others were on economic and commercial cooperation, tourism, sports, health, the fight against COVID-19 and science and innovation.
On Thursday, Mr Buhari attended a political and business leaders forum, jointly organised by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Trade, and the Confederation of Employers.
At the meeting, Mr Buhari alerted European countries to look toward Africa for solutions to the resources supply challenges currently facing the global economy.
He also challenged Spanish investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s tax-free environment and limitless expatriate quota at the nation’s free trade zones to boost Nigerian-Spanish trade and economic opportunities.
He said Spain had been a major importer of Nigeria’s crude oil, noting that Nigeria’s exports to Spain stood at $4.8 billion in 2020 whilst Spain’s exports to Nigeria increased from $97.2 million in 1995 to $517 million in 2020.
Also on Thursday, Mr Buhari hosted representatives of the Nigerian community in Spain, including professional footballers and Spanish investors with interests in Nigeria.
The diaspora team, which met with the president, included John Bosco, president of the Association of Nigerians in Spain, his deputy Richard Omoregbe, and Super Eagles player Kenneth Omeruo (of Leganes FC), etc.
“I wish to encourage you to continue to be role models for our youths back home as well as sustain the image of being excellent ambassadors of Nigeria in Spain and live peacefully in the various communities in which you reside here,” said Mr Buhari.
(NAN)
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