By Joke Kujenya
NIGERIA’S PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has arrived in Tokyo for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), which will take place from August 20 to 22 in Yokohama.
The Presidential aircraft landed at the Presidential Wing of Haneda International Airport, Tokyo, at 00:50 am local time on Tuesday, which was still Monday in Nigeria due to the eight-hour time difference.
He was received at the airport by Ambassador Hideo Matsubara, the Japanese Ambassador in charge of Haneda Airport for TICAD, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and officials of the Nigerian Embassy.
The President departed Abuja on Friday, 15 August, with senior government officials, including ministers and special advisers, after a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before proceeding to Japan.
According to a statement by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu will participate in plenary sessions centred on the main themes of the conference.
He will also hold bilateral meetings and engage with chief executive officers of Japanese companies with business interests in Nigeria.
TICAD9, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, will focus on Africa’s economic transformation, the strengthening of institutions and the business environment through private investment and innovation, and the promotion of a sustainable and resilient African society that upholds human security, peace, and stability.
The triennial summit was initiated by the Japanese government and is co-hosted by the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union Commission, and the World Bank.
The event alternates between Japan and Africa, with Tunisia hosting the last edition in 2022.
Onanuga further confirmed that following his participation in TICAD9, President Tinubu will embark on a state visit to Brazil.
He is scheduled to travel to Brasilia on Sunday, 24 August, for a two-day visit at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
During his stay in Brazil, the Nigerian leader will hold a bilateral meeting with his host and participate in a business forum with Brazilian investors.
