Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali was pictured driving Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari out of the airport after he arrived the country.
Buhari arrived at the newly built VIP Terminal of Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa today, October 3, ahead of the Prime Minister’s inauguration tomorrow, October 4, to begin another five-year term in office.
The Nigerian president was accorded a full guard of honour by the Ethiopian National Defense Force, after which the Ethiopian prime minister gestured to him to join him in a waiting SUV which he drove himself.
While in Addis Ababa, the Nigerian leader is expected to deliver a goodwill message at the inauguration event scheduled to hold at the historic Meskel Square.
resident Buhari will join other African leaders, who will be attending the event in person, including the Presidents of Djibouti, Kenya, South Sudan, Senegal, Somalia, Uganda and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A statement issued by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, on Saturday, said President Buhari would also attend a State Dinner at the National Defence Headquarters, Addis Ababa.
On the significance of President Buhari’s visit to the country, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Victor Adeleke, told reporters that:
‘‘Nigeria and Ethiopia enjoy warm cordial relations, they are equally the two largest democracies in Africa, in this wise, the attendance of President Buhari at the inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Ahmed is an indication of the President’s commitment to strengthening democracy in Africa.’’
The Ambassador, who holds concurrent accreditation to Djibouti and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), explained that the visit would also afford President Buhari the opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
He added that over the years there had been much eagerness and zeal on the part of both countries to cooperate on positive agreements, part of which had led to the exchange of official visits at the highest level.
‘‘You will recall that the then Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Dessalegne, visited Abuja, Nigeria, in July 2014, where he was guest of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
‘‘In the same vein, at the invitation of Prime Minister Ahmed, President Muhammadu Buhari undertook a State Visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2020.
‘‘Nigeria and Ethiopia are both working on several areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in Defence, Aviation, Science and Technology, Industry, Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Health, Youth and Sports development, Communication, Information and media,” he said.
He also noted that Nigeria had been extending assistance to Ethiopia through the Technical Aid Corps programme.
Below are photos of Buhari shortly after he arrived at Addis Ababa.
