President, Muhammadu Buhari returned Sunday morning from Washington DC, United States, after a week-long engagement at the US-Africa Leaders Summit.
Buhari’s official jet landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Sunday, bringing the total number of foreign trips made in 2022 to at least 19.
The countries so far visited include Rwanda (June), Equatorial Guinea (May), Guinea Bissau (December), Niger (December), the United States (September and December), the United Kingdom (March and November), the United Arab Emirates (May), Liberia (July), South Korea (October), Ghana (June), Portugal (June), Spain (May), Belgium (February), Ethiopia (February), Kenya (March), Ivory Coast (May) and Senegal (July).
In-between, the President and his Vice have both been away from the country at the same time at least thrice in the last two months, The PUNCH observed.
In his first address at the US-Africa Leaders Summit, the Nigerian President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to generating 30 gigawatts of energy by 2030.
Buhari noted that Nigeria became the first African country to develop a detailed Energy Transition Plan to tackle both energy poverty and climate change.
Consequently, he sought the United States’ support to achieve Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan which, he said, required at least N10bn/year to finance.
During the discussion panel on Just Energy Transition, Buhari cited a recent analysis which showed that delivering the Energy Transition Plan requires $1.9tn spending up to 2060, including $410bn above business-as-usual spending.
This additional financing requirement, he explained, translates to a $10bn investment needed per annum.
In his second address, the President warned his fellow African leaders that unconstitutional regime change, terrorism and the effects of climate change on the continent may undermine the ability of her states to achieve the Agenda 2063.
Speaking on the topic, Partnering on Agenda 2063: A Peaceful and Secure Africa, Buhari however expressed hope that these threats will not trump the unity of purpose shares amongst all member states.
He urged member states to quell the resurgence of conflicts in their regions through inclusive governance, constitutionalism and the strengthening of African Union mediation support and conflict prevention mechanisms.
