President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Guinea-Bissau to attend the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Bissau, capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
The President touched down at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport at about few minutes past five Universal Time in Guinea-Bissau.
He was received by officials of Nigeria’s High Commission in Guinea-Bissau, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Former Governors Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa and Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.
Also at the airport to receive the Nigerian Leader was the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Lamuwa, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments, Evelyn Ngige among other top government officials.
On arrival, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu first paid an assessment and morale boosting visit to the Nigerian Army contingent troops on peacekeeping to the Economic Community of West Africa States Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea Bissau.
President Tinubu described his visit to the troops as a solidarity one to reassure them of the government’s commitment to their welfare.
While commending the troops for their efforts so far in maintaining order in the Country, he reiterated that Nigeria is committed to the continued stability, peace and security of the West African region particularly Guinea-Bissau where he is visiting.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana said that Nigeria can generate more revenue from producing security equipment to secure countries in West Africa.
He said that the country has deployed the most number of soldiers so far on the Peacekeeping mission.
The Force Commander of the Contingent Troops, Brigadier General, Hassan Muhammed Grema said the government has paid all allowances due to them, saying that the troops also protect the personal residence of the President of Guinea-Bissau.
The President will tomorrow, at the Ecowas Summit, address memoranda on pressing sub-regional issues, including; Report of the 50th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) covering security challenges faced by the member countries ; Report of the 90th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as Report on the status of Transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.
Other items slated for discussion include Memoranda on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and the Report on Obstacles to Free Movement of Goods on the Abidjan- Lagos corridor.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu is expected to attend the Ecowas Heads of State Private Dinner later this evening.
