Buhari returns to Abuja ahead of APC presidential primary
By Stephen Angbulu, Abuja.
Obinna Emmanuel
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday arrived Abuja from Madrid, the Spanish capital, after his Official State Visit, ahead of the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress.
He was received at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, by the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, and the Director-General of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi, amongst others.
During his two-day State Visit, Buhari signed at least nine Memoranda of Understanding with the Spanish government.
They include the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; Transfer of Sentenced Persons; Extradition; Economic and Commercial Cooperation; Tourism.
Others were on Sports; Health; the Fight Against COVID-19; and Science and Innovation.
In a meeting with his Spanish counterpart, President Pedro Sanchez, President Buhari said his country looked forward to increasing bilateral relations between both nations.
He commended Sanchez for his leadership qualities and contributions to the war against terror in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Mali, and looking forward to cooperation in the area.
Both leaders also discussed areas of cooperation on which the Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding were signed.
While addressing the Spain-Nigeria Business Meeting organised by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the President extended fiscal investment incentives to Spanish investors to ramp up a long-term business partnership between the two countries.
This was as he said an increased collaboration with African nations like Nigeria could be what all of Europe needs to mitigate against both current and potential future supply-chain challenges.
Buhari listed the incentives to include: Three to five years of tax holidays for enterprises in what we deem to be pioneer industries; tax-free operations and no restrictions on expatriate quotas in our Free Trade Zones; capital allowances for agriculture, manufacturing and engineering amongst others.
He also called on investors to look beyond the challenges currently facing the world and focus on the opportunities they present. According to him, there are no challenges without opportunities and solutions.
To Nigerians in the Diaspora, the President said the Federal Government would aggressively protect and defend the interests of law-abiding citizens.
He gave the assurance when he met with some Nigerians living in Spain.
