The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has explained that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be represented at engagements outside the shores of the country because so far, only the president exudes the kind of personality that attracts the confidence of world powers.
Mohammed, who made this assertion yesterday while featuring at a radio and television live programme in Kaduna hosted by Liberty Radio and Television, stated that it is in the interest of Nigeria that Buhari attends meetings that require his presence outside Nigeria.
He maintained that sending representatives to such meetings as some people have suggested would not be as effective as having the president attending them in person.
The Minister stated that it would be unfair to attribute the president’s readiness to honour such invitations to a desire for pleasure, saying that at the president’s age, such things do not matter to him.
“Many world leaders are saying now that Nigeria has a leader with integrity, they have the confidence to discuss with us even on the issue of the looted funds, so sending a representative cannot achieve that much,” he stated.
Mohammed explained that each of the President’s trips is necessary, recalling that shortly after assuming office, Buhari had to travel to neighbouring countries to seek their collaboration on the fight against insurgents, then later to the G-7 countries.
He maintained that the President’s reputation as a sincere leader with integrity is what makes the world leaders invite him to such meetings.
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