President Buhari arrives Aqaba to participate in counter-terrorism summit; Congratulates WizKid, Davido on Awards

My Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Aqaba, Jordan, to participate in a summit of Heads of State to review strategies in fighting terrorism.

The summit, tagged, `Aqaba Retreat’, to be hosted by His Majesty, King Abdullah II of Jordan, would also look at ways at reinforcing joint security structures that would be more proactive in preventing attacks.

The president’s aircraft landed at the King Hussein International Airport, Aqaba, at about 8.15p.m., local time.

The President was received at the Airport by Jordanian government officials, the Minister of Defence retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and the acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Dauda.

Others at the airport to welcome the president include the Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan, Amb. Haruna Ungogo and other Nigerian embassy officials in Jordan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that West African Heads of State, including the Presidents of Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Togo as well as the representatives of governments of 48 countries will be attending the meeting.

A number of key Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are also expected to participate in the meeting, slated for Dec. 2 and 3.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, had on Nov. 29, in a statement issued in Abuja, said President Buhari would share Nigeria’s experience on terrorism and its spread across West Africa during the meeting.

According to Adesina, this is with a view to soliciting more support for pre-emptive measures that will neutralise the activities of insurgents in the sub-region.

NAN also gathered that Buhari may also speak on the recently inaugurated Nigeria’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan for preventing and countering violent extremism.

The security document is believed to be tailored toward addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, while countering the dangerous ideologies that fuel terrorism.

President Buhari had earlier on Aug. 24, signed a presidential directive for the implementation of the policy framework and national action plan for preventing and countering violent extremism.

Those on the President’s entourage to Aqaba include the governors of Kogi, Osun and Niger as well as the Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs; the National Security Adviser, and the Acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has congratulated renowned hip-hop artistes, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, WizKid, and David Adedeji Adeleke, Davido, on their awards at the Music of Black Origin (MOBO).

A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media& Publicity) said that “President Buhari joins the teeming fans of the artistes in Nigeria and all over the world in celebrating the highly deserved and meritorious recognition, which saw WizKid winning “International Best Artitse’’ award, while Davido picked the “Best African Act.

“The President affirms that both singers have showcased the rich talents in the country, and brought pride to the nation through their many songs and performances, commending their dedication, hard work and charity works.

“President Buhari also calls on the upwardly mobile artistes to be cautious and mindful of likely distractions to their careers, urging WizKid and Davido to serve as ambassadors of the country and role models to upcoming musicians.”