. President also met with family members
President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived at Aso Rock. At about 8:42 am on Friday, the chopper conveying President landed at the Aso Rock helipad, with the alighting President being welcomed by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.
The President also met members of his family, including his wife, Aisha and daughter, Zahra.
Other key officials who were on ground to receive the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja include: Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongunu, Inspector-General of Police, Idris Abubakar, all the Service Chiefs.
Buhari, who spent 49 days in London on an extended medical vacation, arrived Nigeria at exactly 7:41 am at the Air Force Base Mando in Kaduna State.
The President was received by the Kaduna State Deputy Governor Bala Bantex, GOC 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, the Air Officer Commanding,Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshall Christopher Okoye, the Commissioner of police and other dignitaries.
Buhari had departed Abuja for the United Kingdom on January 19, 2017 with a promise to come back on February 6. But due to the medical advice that he delayed his return for some recommended medical tests, the president could not keep the February date as he asked in a letter to the National Assembly that his deputy, Osinbajo, continue to act in his stead.
President Buhari has returned to Nigeria, after 51 days of vacation in London, United Kingdom.
Femi Adesina, the special adviser on media and publicity said President Buhari’s plane landed in Kaduna well after 7.am today in Kaduna, debunking earlier reports that the President flew in at about 4.am.
“We are now at the helipad at the Aso Villa awaiting his arrival from Kaduna. The flight will take about 40 minutes”, said Adesina in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
In Kaduna, President Buhari was received by deputy governor. Barnabas Yusuf Bala, after the President’s plane landed at the VIP Wing of the 401 Flying Training School of the Nigerian Air Force, Kaduna, at about 7.40 a.m.
An excited Kaduna governor, Nasir el-Rufai said on Facebook:
“The President is back. He has landed safely in Kaduna and received by Acting Governor Barnabas Yusuf Bala and senior KDSG officials. The government and people of Kaduna State are proud to receive our First Citizen back to his home to face the task of rebuilding Nigeria. Alhamdulillah. Jumaat Mubarak to everyone”.
Adesina announced yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari will return to Nigeria today.
Buhari left Nigeria on 19 January for a vacation in London and was scheduled to return to work on 6 February.
During his visit to UK, he also said he would conduct some medical checks.
However, a day to his resumption, he requested for an extension of his holiday, following the recommendation of his doctors that he wait for further tests and rest.
According to Adesina, President Buhari expressed appreciation to teeming Nigerians from across the country, and beyond, who had prayed fervently for him, and also sent him their good wishes.