President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday departed Abuja, the nation’s capital for Paris in France to participate in the first edition of the Paris Peace Forum.

According to a statement by the President’s media aide Femi Adesina, Buhari is scheduled to participate in the forum slated for November 11 to 13.

Adesina said the forum, organised by the French Government and a number of Non-Governmental Organisations, was based on the “simple idea that international cooperation is key to tackling global challenges and ensuring durable peace.”

He said the President would join the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and other world leaders in discussing contributions towards global peace while underscoring the imperative of collective action.

The statement added, “While in Paris, President Buhari will also join other world leaders to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the Armistice signed on November 11, 1918 between the Allied Forces and Germany in the forest of Compiegne in France to end the First World War.

“During his visit to Paris, President Buhari will attend a luncheon hosted by President Emmanuel Macron of France in honour of visiting heads of delegations.

“Before returning to Abuja, the President and his delegation will have an interactive session with the Nigerian community in France.”

Buhari, according to the statement, will be accompanied on the trip by three state governors and other top government officials.

They include Aminu Masari (Katsina); Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).

Others include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.; and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar.