President Buhari heads to France

 President Muhammadu Buhari is eyeing
closer ties with France, including on security, as
Nigeria and its neighbours fight back against Boko
Haram, his office said on Sunday.
The 72-year-old will spend three days in Paris from
Monday following an invitation from his French
counterpart Francois Hollande, Buhari's spokesman
Femi Adesina said in an emailed statement.
His entourage on the official visit includes the
country's national security advisor, retired major-
general Babagana Monguno, plus senior officials in
the defence, finance and foreign ministries.
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Buhari will meet Hollande on Monday evening and
also hold talks with Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le
Drian, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and other
senior government figures, Adesina said.
The trip "will focus on the further strengthening
and consolidation of ongoing bilateral cooperation
between Nigeria and France in the areas of
defence, security, trade and investments," he
added.
Meetings with the heads of French oil major Total
and concrete manufacturer Lafarge, both of which
have operations in Nigeria, are also planned, as is a
meeting with African ambassadors in Paris.
- AFP