Buhari’s Advance Party Leaves Nigeria Tonight

President Muhammadu Buhari’s advance party is expected to leave Nigeria on Sunday, May 8, to the United Kingdom ahead of the President’s arrival on Tuesday, May 10.

The summit is holding in London on Thursday, May 12.

A pre-summit conference of development partners, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Transparency International and other civil society groups will also hold on Wednesday, May 11.

At the pre-summit conference, President Buhari is billed to deliver a keynote address titled: “Why We Must Tackle Corruption Together”.

The theme of the Anti-Corruption Summit is ‘Exposing Corruption, Tackling Corruption and Driving Out Corruption’.

President Buhari is once again expected to urge the international community to move faster on the dismantling of safe havens for the proceeds of corruption and the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

The President’s delegation to the Summit will include the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina , said the President was one of the world leaders scheduled to speak at the opening session of the Anti-Corruption Summit with others, including Prime Minister Cameron and the President of World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim.

“As an internationally recognised leader in the global fight against corruption, President Buhari will play a prominent part in the summit which will be hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron of Great Britain with many other Heads of State and Government in attendance.

“In his address to the summit and interactions with other participating leaders, President Buhari will urge the international community to move faster on the dismantling of safe havens for the proceeds of corruption and the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

“The President will also reaffirm his administration’s unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption and the Federal Government’s readiness to partner with international agencies and other countries to identify, apprehend and punish corrupt public officials,” the statement read.

Before returning to Abuja on Friday, May 13, the President is expected to have a separate meeting with Prime Minister Cameron to discuss ongoing Nigeria-Britain collaboration in the war against corruption and terrorism, as well as other issues, including trade and economic relations between both countries.