Buhari set to visit London again later this month for a two week medical vacation

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is due to arrive in London later this week for a medical check-up and period of recuperation that is expected to last two weeks amid concerns that he mart be facing another minor health scare.

Since assuming office in 2015, President Buhari has been plagued with health concerns and has to visit his doctors in London at least once a year. In some instances, he has had to stay away for elongated periods, during which he handed over the running of the country to vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

This time around, President Buhari is proceeding on an extended foreign trip that will start with a four-day stop in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital where he will participate in the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environmental Programme scheduled for March 3 and 4. According to presidential spokesman Femi Adesina, President Buhari will proceed to London for routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks.

Mr Adesina said: “Sequel to an invitation extended to him by his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja Tuesday, March 1 to participate in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep), scheduled for March 3 to 4 in Nairobi, Kenya. From Kenya, President Buhari will proceed to London for routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks.”

According to the organisers of the event, for 50 years, Unep has coordinated a worldwide effort with member states to address the world’s biggest environmental challenges. Member states are vital partners in formulating Unep’s policy, implementing its programme and championing solutions to shared environmental challenges.

The theme of this special session is Strengthening Unep For The Implementation Of The Environmental Dimension of the 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development. President Buhari is expected to deliver the national statement of the country and participate in high level dialogue sessions on the environment at the event.

A Unep spokesman said: “Unep at 50 is a time to reflect on the past and envision the future. It provides an opportunity to reinvigorate international cooperation and spur collective action to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution and waste.

"No country or continent can solve these global crises alone. However, each nation has a crucial role to play in protecting our people and planet."

On his trip, President Buhari will be accompanied by the foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of state for the environment Sharon Ikeazor and the national security adviser Major General Babagana Monguno. Also on the entourage will be the director-general of the National Intelligence Agency Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the chief executive of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.