By Barth Ikiebe
President Tinubu is in Japan to attend TICAD9 in Yokohama, where he will engage in plenary sessions, bilateral meetings, and talks with Japanese investors before proceeding on a state visit to Brazil.
The African Development (TICAD9), conference is scheduled to hold from August 20 to 22 in the City of Yokohama.
The President’s aircraft touched down at the Presidential Wing of Haneda International Airport, Tokyo, at 00:50 am on Tuesday, which was still Monday in Nigeria owing to the eight-hour time difference.
He was received by Ambassador Hideo Matsubara, the Ambassador in charge of Haneda Airport for TICAD, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and officials of the Nigerian Embassy.
President Tinubu departed Abuja on Friday, August 15, accompanied by senior government officials, including Ministers and Special Advisers, with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before heading to Japan.
According to Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, “In Japan, President Tinubu will attend plenary sessions on themes linked to the conference, hold bilateral meetings, and meet the Chief Executive Officers of some Japanese companies with investments in Nigeria.”
TICAD9, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, will focus on Africa’s economic transformation, improvements in the business environment and institutions through private investment and innovation, and the promotion of a resilient and sustainable African society for human security, peace, and stability.
The triennial conference was initiated by the Japanese government and is co-hosted by the United Nations, UNDP, the African Union Commission, and the World Bank. It alternates between Japan and Africa, with Tunisia hosting the last edition in 2022.
Onanuga further disclosed that at the end of the TICAD9 summit, President Tinubu will travel to Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, for a two-day state visit from Sunday, August 24, to Monday, August 25, at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
While in Brazil, he will hold a bilateral meeting with his host and attend a business forum with Brazilian investors.
