President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday returned to Abuja after participating in the 35th Ordinary Session of Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, and Director-General of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi, were among those who welcomed the president at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

While in Addis Ababa, the Nigerian leader held various bilateral meetings with some African leaders.

Buhari, who also met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, commended him for maintaining peace and unity in the country, and for ensuring fairness and justice in development.

The two leaders also agreed that African growth and development would require strong, visionary leadership that will cater for the needs of the people, and effectively strengthen institutions that encourage peaceful co-existence, while providing disincentives to conflicts and coups.

Buhari also received a comprehensive briefing on the coup attempt to oust President Umaru Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, on the sidelines of the African Union Summit, on Sunday.

The coup was, however, aborted by loyal forces in that country.

The Nigerian leader met with Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau, Suzi Barbosa, who made a graphic presentation of the attempt to overthrow the constitutional order in her country.

(NAN)