Buhari in Saudi, lodges in King Saudi Guest Palace

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday arrived Riyadh to commence a week-long visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The President’s plane landed at the Royal Terminal of King Abdel International Airport, Riyadh at about 8 p.m. (local time) The President Buhari was received on arrival by a high powered Saudi government delegation, led by the Governor of Riyadh, Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Also at the airport to receive the president were the governors of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari; Kashim Shettima of Borno; Rauf Aregebesola of Osun; Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun and Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State.

The president in company of members of his entourage, were driven to the King Saudi Guest Palace, where he lodged. He is expected to meet with the Saudi monarch, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and senior officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

A Presidency statement on Sunday stated that the President would meet with leading Saudi and Qatari businessmen in Riyadh and Doha. It added that Buhari would invite them to support his administration’s efforts to revamp the Nigerian economy by taking advantage of the huge investment opportunities that abound in various sectors of the economy.

According to the statement, Buhari is also expected to visit Medina and Grand Mosque in Makkah, where he is expected to perform prayers for the peace and unity of the country. President Buhari’s other engagements in Saudi Arabia include meetings with heads of international financial organisations and multilateral associations.

The President is expected to leave Saudi Arabia on Saturday for Doha, the Qatari capital. Qatar currently holds the Presidency of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC), a cartel of oil- producing countries.