Special Adviser on Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Femi Adesina, has reacted to reports that members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra are protesting against the presence of Buhar’s presence in Japan.
There have been photos circulated to this effect while IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had earlier warned that it would tackle the President and his entourage in the country.
But in a statement on Monday, Adesina described the threats as mere noise and fabrication, saying Buhari was well on ground and ready to participate in the assignment that took him there.
Adesina said, “The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group has had nothing to do with President Muhammadu Buhari since he arrived Yokohama, Japan, on Monday.
“Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora are urged to disregard concocted stories, backed with spurious visuals, of any protest or harassment of the President and his team. “It is the stock-in-trade of hate mongers, who do not realize that the rest of Nigerians have left them far behind.
“President Buhari will make his presence at the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) count for Nigeria, and no scare-mongering or sabre-rattling will detract from the outing.”
Buhari departed Nigeria for Japan on Sunday for the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) holding in the City of Yokohama.
The opening ceremony of the conference themed: “Africa and Yokohama, Sharing Passion for the Future,” will be performed by the Japanese prime minister and host, Shinzo Abe.
Adesina had earlier noted that the President would appraise Nigeria-Japan relations and takeaways from TICAD6.
He would also attend a state banquet and honour the invitation of Emperor Naruhito to a Tea Reception at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo.
According to Adesina there would be a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abe as President Buhari will also attend some side-events and meet chief executive officers of some Japanese companies with huge investments in Nigeria.
“TCAD7 is expected to focus on Africa’s “economic transformation and improvements in business environment and institution through private investment and innovation; promotion of resilient and sustainable African society for human security; and peace and stability in support of Africa’s domestic proactive efforts,” Adesina said in the statement.
“President Buhari and his delegation are expected in Yokohama to push for broader Japanese assistance in the areas of science and technology, innovation, human resource development, education, agriculture, power, health and disaster risk reduction, among others.
“President Buhari will be accompanied by governors Babagana Zulum, AbdulRaham AbdulRazaq and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Borno, Kwara and Lagos States respectively; ministers and other top government officials,” he had said.
