Jonathan to visit Rwanda, Ethiopia and Ghana

Jonathan to visit Rwanda, Ethiopia and Ghana

The Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is to travel to Rwanda and Ethiopia on Wednesday on a two-day working visit.

A statement issued by the President’s Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Reuben Abati, said that Jonathan would also pay a state visit to Ghana.

Bilateral talks

The President, who is expected to arrive in Rwanda with the ministers of Information, Foreign Affairs and Trade and Investments, Messrs Labaran Maku, Olugbenga Ashiru, Olusegun Aganga and the managing director of Access Bank, Aigboje Aig Imokhuede, will hold bilateral talks with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia and President John Attah-Mills of Ghana.

While in Rwanda, the statement said the President would visit the genocide memorial centre which was also the genocide museum where he is expected to lay a wreath in honour of the 1994 genocide victims.

The President as well as the ministers of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda and Nigeria, are scheduled to discuss and possibly formalize a framework for comprehensive bilateral cooperation.

Nigeria-Rwanda relation

During this time, the two heads of state are due to discuss how to strengthen links between Nigeria and Rwanda, as well as African and global issues and thereafter hold a joint press conference.

“It is expected that African and global issues will feature in their discussions”, the statement said.

Rwanda and Nigeria enjoy good and established relations, which was enforced by the opening of the Rwandan High Commission in Abuja earlier this year.

There are currently 38 Nigerian health professionals volunteering in Rwanda under the Technical Aid Corps scheme.

Dr Jonathan last visited Rwanda in September last year for the inauguration and swearing in of President Paul Kagame.

The Nigerian President is expected back in Abuja on Saturday, October 8.

NP/NAN/Shakira