Jonathan Set For Working Visit To Malawi, Botswana

ABUJA, September 08, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Jonathan will begin a three-day working visit to Malawi and Botswana on Monday, one he says is in furtherance of his administration’s diplomatic initiative to enhance economic and sociopolitical relations with other African countries.

Jonathan will be accompanied on the trip by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, and will first visit Lilongwe, the Malawian capital where he will confer with President Joyce Banda, participate in a Nigeria-Malawi Business Forum, and launch Malawi’s National Cassava Project.

He will also meet with Nigerians living in Malawi before proceeding to Gaborone, Botswana on Tuesday, for scheduled talks with President Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

“While in Botswana, President Jonathan will participate in a Nigeria-Botswana Business Seminar, tour the Jwaneng Mine and Diamond Trading Company of Botswana, and interact with Nigerians living in the country,” confirmed a statement released on Saturday by Dr. Reuben Abati, the president’s special adviser on media and publicity.

The entourage of the president, who will return to the country on Wednesday, also includes Senator Sahabi Alhaji Yau; Honourable Jones C. Oyereri; the minister of mines and steel development, Alhaji Musa Mohammed Sada; the minister of culture and tourism, Chief Edem Duke; and the minister of state for foreign affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed.