Buhari to reunite with war college mates in US

President Muhammadu Buhari will reunite with members of the American War College Class of 1980 during his trip to the United States.

Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the president would depart the country on Sunday and return next Thursday.

He said the president will be accompanied by Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo; Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

According to Adesina, Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and permanent secretaries of the ministries of defence, foreign affairs, industry, trade and investment, will also be in the entourage.

“The US trip will also afford President Buhari the opportunity of a reunion with members of the American War College Class of 1980 in which he was a distinguished participant,” read a statement issued by Adesina on Wednesday.

“The president will depart Abuja on Sunday for Washington DC on a four-day official visit during which he will hold high-level talks with President Barack Obama and other senior officials of the United States government.

“Measures to strengthen and intensify bilateral and international cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria and West-Africa, will top the agenda of President Buhari’s talks with President Obama and United States government officials.

“President Buhari is expected to meet with President Obama at the White House on Monday, July 20 and will later hold further discussions with the chairman of the United States joint chiefs of staff, General Martin Dempsey, and the deputy secretary of defence, Robert Work, on military and defence cooperation.

“He is also expected to meet with vice-president Joe Biden and confer with the US attorney-general, Loretta Lynch, the US secretary of treasury, Jack Lew, the US secretary of commerce, Penny Pritzker and the US trade representative, Michael Froman, on United States support for his administration’s war against corruption as well as fresh measures to boost Nigeria-United States trade relations.

“The president, who will be received by the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, at the state department in Washington DC, will later hold meetings with the United States Senate and Ccngressional committees on foreign relations, as well as the black caucus of the United States house of representatives.

“Before leaving Washington DC, President Buhari will address the United States Chamber of Commerce and Corporate Council for Africa.”