King Mohammed of Morroco leads 300-member delegation to Nigeria, meets Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja met briefly with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who arrived Abuja on Thursday, for a 3-day official visit to Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the king, on arrival at the Presidential Villa at about 1.20p.m. inspected a guard of honour mounted by men of the Guards Brigade.

The Guards Brigade also honoured the visiting King with 21-gun salute.

NAN reports that shortly after the inspection of the guard of honour, Mr. Buhari and Mohammed met behind closed doors, before leaving the Presidential Villa for National Mosque to perform the 2-raka'at Juma'at Prayer.

NAN further reports that King Mohammed, who is leading a 300-man delegation, is visiting Nigeria for the first time since he ascended the throne in July 23, 1999.

The meeting between President Buhari and King Mohammed, which would continue after the Juma'at prayer, would focus on bilateral trade and economic relations.

Laoye Jaiyeola, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), said that public and private sectors of both countries would collaborate to leverage on opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

Mr. Jaiyeola spoke at the Nigeria-Morocco Business Meeting , with the theme: “Business Climate and Investment Opportunities.”

According to him, improved business relations between Nigeria and Morocco will create mutual benefits, connect the continent's markets and enhance competitiveness.

Analysts say with the visit the diplomatic row between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco which erupted over a purported phone conversation between former President Goodluck Jonathan and King Mohammed VI, may have been put to rest.(NAN)