President Goodluck Jonathan

By Muhammad Bello

President Goodluck Jonathan will Monday begin a three-day working visit to Malawi and Botswana in furtherance of his administration’s diplomatic initiative.

The visit, which is aimed at enhancing economic and socio-political relations with other African nations, will see the president participating in a Nigeria-Malawi Business Forum, Nigeria-Botswana Business Seminar, launching of  Malawi’s National Cassava Project and tour of  the Jwaneng Mine and Diamond Trading Company of Botswana

According to statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President will also meet with Nigerians living in Malawi before proceeding to Gaborone, Botswana on Tuesday for scheduled talks with President Seretse Khama Ian Khama. In Botswana too, he will meet with Nigerians living in the country.

President Jonathan, who will be accompanied by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, will first visit Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi where he will confer with President Joyce Banda,

The President, whose entourage will also include Senator Sahabi Alhaji Yau, Honourable Jones C. Oyereri, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Musa Mohammed Sada, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, is due back in Abuja on Wednesday.