By Vera Chinonso Aliyu and Ishola Adeleke, YeyeNews.com, December 12, 2021
The United Arab Emirate has chosen President Muhammadu Buhari as the recipient of the inaugural award of the “Most Traveled African President”. According to sources in the Emirate, the award was instituted to recognize the contribution of African political leaders to the aviation industry worldwide.
“Though the poorest, Africa still has the most traveled presidents of all the continents. The leaders always travel with more aides and support staff than you can find anywhere else. Their large retinues contribute significantly to the economies of the countries they visit in terms of the fees paid in private hangers in the airports, hotel bills and general shopping spree they embark on. So we thought that it is fair for these contributions to be recognized, hence this Award”, the source explained.
YeyeNews.com further gathered that the selection process saw President Buhari and President Uhuru Kenyatta ending up the two candidates with the highest nominations for the award. “Though there was a tie between the Kenyan and Nigerian presidents but President Buhari was chosen because Nigerians have significantly contributed financially to the UAE economy more than their Kenyan counterparts. Even President Buhari has visited the country more times than Mr. Uhuru. You know that even the Nigerian first lady has made UAE her home for a while. These people are big spenders so it was not difficult giving the Nigeria president the inaugural award”, a member of the selection committee told YeyeNews reporter.
Reacting to the award presidential spokesman Garba Shehu lauded the Arab nation for their thoughtful consideration. “This Is a further recognition of the towering global statue of President Buhari. Every unbiased assessor knows that the president is head and shoulder above his peers anywhere in the continent. Thank you UAE”, Garba Shehu wrote in celebration.
