Therasa May Conferred with Abuja Citizenship

From Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

British Prime Minister, Theresa May, was Wednesday afternoon conferred with the honourary citizenship of Abuja by Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.

May had arrived Abuja this afternoon as part of her tour of the three African countries, including South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.

The investiture ceremony was watched by the Nigerian Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Hon. Khadija Ibrahim, who received the Prime Minister upon arrival, on behalf of Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.

May travelled aboard a British Royal Airforce Boeing 788. Her flight touched down on the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by exactly 11.51 a.m. Nigerian time.

Making the presentation of the key to the City of Abuja to a delighted May, the FCT minister conveyed to her the goodwill and esteemed regards of the government and people of Nigeria.

The visit is her first since assuming office and it is expected to be used to sign security and defence pacts with President Muhammadu Buhari, which were initiated during the last meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, last April.

May’s visit comes against the background of Brexit negotiations with experts speculating that she will seek a more robust investment opportunities for her country in African economies.

Theresa May is expected to leave Abuja for Lagos where her central message during her brief stay in Nigeria’s commercial capital is expected to focus on a renewed efforts at ending human slavery and immigration.

The Prime Minister will leave Nigeria for Kenya at the conclusion of her Lagos schedule.