Buhari’s foreign trips absolutely necessary, says Adesina

President’s spokesman insists anti-graft war shows economic direction

The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media, Femi Adesina, yesterday defended President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips saying they were for the good of the country.

Adesina, who last night fielded questions from Seun Okinbaloye, who anchored Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, explained that the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not specifically promise to trim the presidential fleet, saying that the party merely pledged to cut huge costs associated with foreign trips by former presidents.

Adesina stressed that government’s economic direction could be seen from its current anti-corruption stance.

He declared that the foreign trips, which are already yielding dividends, have become necessary in view of the stupendous amount stolen and stashed abroad by Nigerian officials. He revealed that the United States government has given assurance of its readiness to help repatriate monies stolen and hidden in all its ‘territories.’

While refuting claims in some quarters that the administration was not focused and lacked direction, Adesina said the President had expressly condemned the lip service that was paid to the diversification of the economy by previous administrations.

“Buhari is determined to as a matter of priority diversify the economy,” he said.

The President’s spokesman also revealed that agriculture and solid minerals were the focus of government’s diversification agenda.

Quoting US’ President Barack Obama to the effect that nobody or nation could afford to live in isolation, Adesina maintained that the foreign trips were necessary and relevant to the economy.

According to him, the president sometimes delegates some of the trips to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Speaking further, he argued that the President drastically cuts down on members of his delegation to 30, as opposed to 150 used by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

On calls by prominent Nigerians, including former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and current Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on Naira devaluation, Adesina said different economists view the economy from different perspectives and that after considering the propositions, the President would still listen to his own Economic team.

Consequent upon the dwindling oil prices, it would be unwise for government to devalue the Naira given the fact that oil remains Nigeria’s only export commodity, Adesina said.