President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja tomorrow for Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to participate in the Business for Africa, Egypt and the World Forum, his spokesman said this evening.

Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Mr. Femi Adesina, said in a statement: “The forum, which opens in the Egyptian resort town on Saturday, February 20, 2016, is being organised by the Egyptian government under the auspices of the African Union Commission.

“The forum’s objective is to accelerate private sector engagement and investment within Africa and promote the development of African ties and partnerships.

“President Buhari, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and the Presidents of Togo, Sudan, Kenya, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia are among confirmed speakers at the forum.

“Other confirmed speakers include the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and the President/CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.

“The President will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelama.

“He will return to Abuja at the conclusion of the forum.”

Another statement by Femi Adesina said that President Buhari has conveyed “heartfelt commiserations to victims of the fire outbreak in the popular Singa Market, Kano.”

“President Buhari is deeply saddened by the destruction of very valuable goods and properties in the inferno,” Adesina said, adding:

“The President shares in the pain and anguish of all hardworking Nigerians who lost their wares and belongings in the unfortunate fire incident.

“He assures those who suffered losses from the fire incident that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to support the efforts of the Kano State government to ameliorate their plight.”

•Photo shows President Buhari departing for a trip.

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