President Muhammadu Buhari will today (Wednesday) leave Abuja on a three-day state visit to South Africa, acting on the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Presidential spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari was embarking on the trip to discuss welfare of Nigerians with a view to finding common grounds for building harmonious relations with their hosts.

According to him, the visit is coming against background of recent xenophobic attacks which resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians as well as exchange of visits by special envoys of both Messers Buhari and Ramaphosa.

Shehu explained that while in South Africa, the Nigerian leader would hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country.

He said the meeting would provide the president with the platform to share their experiences and reassure them of Nigerian government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property and as well promoting peaceful co-existence.

Shehu added that Buhari and his host would preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report would be presented.

He disclosed that at the end of the meeting, both leaders would sign a joint communiqué.

The statement said the president and his delegation including, Nigerian business representatives in the country, would participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.

It also said Buhari would be accompanied to South Africa by Governors Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Simon Lalong of Plateau State and David Umahi of Ebonyi State.

Also traveling with the president are: Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Defence, Mr Bashir Magashi; Power, Mr Saleh Mamman; Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola; Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite; Police Affairs, Mr Maigari Dingyadi; and Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Mariam Katagum.

Shehu also listed presidential aides on the trip to include National Security Adviser, Mr Babagana Monguno; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Mr Ahmed Abubakar; and Chairman/CEO, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

He said Buhari would be back in Abuja on Friday.

Thisday