Vice-President Osinbajo holds the fort for Buhari, presides over FEC

By Kunle Akinsola

In the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The meeting which started off at 11.00 am, was held at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja amid the usual ceremonies.

Ministers and non-ministerial cabinet members including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan and the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Jalil Arabi, were in the Executive Chambers.

In strict observance of the inter-faith meeting, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, had prayed in the Muslim way while the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, led the Christian prayers.

It will be recalled that Buhari left the country on Monday at the commencement of a 16-day visit to Saudi Arabia to attend  the 3^rd session of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, on Tuesday and thereafter proceed to London on a private visit.

Buhari is also scheduled to participate in a plenary session on Wednesday in which President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville will discuss ‘‘What’s next for Africa? How will investment and trade transform the continent into the next great economic success story?’’

The session, at the annual investment forum to discuss trends in the world economy and investment environment, will provide an opportunity for the Nigerian leader to highlight the importance of public and private organizations to work together to grow economies that create a prosperous society for all.

He will also discuss what his government is doing to ensure that majority of Nigerian citizens have an acceptable standard of living.

The conference is being attended by world leaders, as well as business leaders, innovators and policymakers from the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.