Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday departed Abuja for London, UK, to represent Nigeria at the state funeral for the late Queen Elizabeth ll.
Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to depart Abuja on Sunday to attend the 77th General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA77).
Mr Femi Adesina, Buhari’s aide and Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande disclosed this in separate statements on Saturday.
According to Akande, the vice-president would join members of the Royal Family and other world leaders at a number of events lined up for funeral.
Members of the Commonwealth, Heads of State, Governors-General, Prime Ministers, and foreign royal families will be at the ceremonies, including the funeral service scheduled to hold at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
Ahead of the service, the vice-president will be among guests and dignitaries to be received by King Charles lll and Queen Consort Camilla, at a reception in Buckingham Palace, on Sunday.
Earlier on that day, Osinbajo will hold a bilateral meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly.
Queen Elizabeth ll was the Head of the Commonwealth and the longest serving British monarch. She passed on at 96 on Sept. 8 at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
The vice-president will return to Nigeria after the state funeral on Monday.
On the other hand, Adesina disclosed that President Buhari is going to address the UNGA on Sept. 21.
“Aside his National Statement, the president will also participate in high level meetings and side events including the Nigeria International Economic Partnership Forum (NIEPF),” he stated.
The forum is convened by Nigeria in partnership with the Business Council for International Understanding. Adesina added that the president would also participate in the EFCC-NEPAD programme on combating illicit financial flows.
“President Buhari will also hold strategic bilateral meetings with world leaders, renowned investors and heads of multinational organisations while in New York,’’ he added.
The theme for the 77th session which opened on Tuesday, Sept. 13 is: “A watershed moment: Transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.”
Key topics of discussion at the UNGA this year include the war in Ukraine, the global energy crisis, climate action, and ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UNGA will also hold a special summit of transforming education. On the entourage of the president are his wife, Aisha, some governors, ministers and top government officials.
The president is expected back in the country on Monday, Sept. 26.