President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in Nairobi, Kenya from August 27-28, 2016.
The summit, co-organised by the Government of Japan, the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, the United Nations Development Programme, the African Union and the World Bank, will focus on promoting structural economic transformation through diversification and industrialisation; promoting resilient health system for quality life and promoting social stability for shared prosperity.
This is as the President has expressed deep grief and sympathy with Italy over the deadly earthquake that has claimed more than two hundred lives in the central parts of the country.
During the International Conference, President Buhari will participate in plenary sessions on TICAD in alignment with African Development, the Dialogue with the Private Sector as well as the Global Launch of the Second Africa Human Development Report.
The President will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
No fewer than 35 African leaders are expected at the two-day high level summit which will also be attended by leading private sector companies from Japan. This will be the first time TICAD is being held in Africa since its inception in 1993.
Nigeria has played a prominent role at the forum aimed at forging international partnerships for Africa’s transformation and prosperity through economic growth, agriculture and social stability.
In his message over the massive earthquake, President Buhari said:”My heart and prayers go out to the people of Italy at this time of national mourning, caused by the devastating earthquake,” and told the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Matteo Renzi, that his family, the government and the people of Nigeria shared the grief of Italian citizens over the deadly natural disaster.
He prayed to God to comfort the families of the victims and grant them the fortitude to overcome their grief at this emotionally challenging time.