Buhari Receives Highest National Honour of Equatorial Guinea, See Photos

President Buhari being conferred the Highest National Honour 

of the Republic of Equitorial Guinea, Grand Coller of the 

Order of Independence by H.E. Mr Teodoro Obiang 

Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of 

Equatorial Guinea ahead of the State Banquet 

hosted in his honor during his 

two- day visit to Malabo Equatorial Guinea.

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Malabo was conferred with the Highest National Honour of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for his personal integrity, exemplary leadership style and courage to fight terrorism in order to ensure peace and safety in Africa.

The honour of "Gran Collar De La Orden De La Independencia" translated "Grand Collar of the Order of the Independence" was conferred on President Buhari by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea at the Presidential Palace.

At the investiture ceremony, President Buhari said the recognition was for the people of Nigeria who had worked tirelessly to sustain peace in the country and across other neighbouring countries in Africa.

"On behalf of my country, Nigeria, and the people, I will like to express profound gratitude for the honour given to me and my people. The reality of the situation now is that there had never been a time in histor

President Buhari At Equatorial Guinea

y for greater neighbourliness, for security and economic stability than now," he said.

The President said the challenges faced by African countries had a common thread, and must be collectively appraised and jointly tackled by all the African countries.

President Buhari assured that Nigeria would always support efforts of ensuring socio-political and economic stability of its neighbours and the entire African continent.

Earlier in his remarks, President Mbasogo said it was an honour for his country to confer the Highest National Honour on President Buhari on his first visit to the country.

"We are here to recognise the son of the soil. On this occasion, we deem it fit and appropriate to decorate the son of Africa for the great work he is doing in Africa, which includes tackling a great menace to the continent, Boko Haram, " he said.

The President pledged his country's support to Nigeria in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges.

Femi Adesina 

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity) 

March 14, 2016

No Foreign Trip of VP Osinbajo Cancelled Because of Saraki - Presidency

Following an online news medium, Sahara Reporters' report that Vice President prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s planned trip was cancelled when it was discovered that President Muhammadu Buhari would also be out of the country at the time, the Presidency on Sunday denied the cancellation of the trip to India for fear that the embattled President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, may become acting President.

Sahara Reporters' report had insinuated that the Vice-President’s trip was called off in order to ensure that Saraki, who is the third in hierarchy in the country, did not emerge acting President in the absence of Buhari and Osinbajo.

But a source  in the Presidency according to Punch Newspaper said, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that it was an unwritten rule that the President and Vice President could not be outside the country at the same time.

The source said it was wrong to think that cancelling Osinbajo’s trip had anything to do with Saraki, adding that the unwritten rule preceded the present administration.

Besides, he said if he had embarked on the trip, the Vice-President would have returned to Nigeria latest by Wednesday, stating that Buhari, who is travelling to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, is scheduled to return on Tuesday.

“If the President is travelling on Monday and will return on Tuesday, how many hours are you expecting Saraki to begin to wield the powers of a President?” he said.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, told journalists that there was no truth in the report that the Indian trip was cancelled.

Akande said, “Nigeria has been invited to the Indian/African Summit and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment will be leading a delegation to the event.

“There is nothing like cancellation. Remember that the visit of the Vice-President to any country is not treated in secrecy.

“Whenever the Vice-President is to travel out of the country, we inform Nigerians. So, this story in question is a bunch of speculation. There is no cancellation.”