Prince Charles meets with traditional rulers in Abuja

Prince Charles met with notable Nigerian traditional rulers yesterday in Abuja on the first of his three-day visit to the country.

Some of the monarchs at the meeting held at the the residence of the British High Commissioner in Abuja are: Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Ogunwusi,  Sultan of Sokoto Saad Abubakar, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi 11, Obi of Onitsha Igwe Achebe, the Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yayaya Abubakar, Oba of Benin Ewuare 11 and Shehu of Borno Abubakar ibn El Kanemi.

Prince Charles, who is accompanied by his wife Duchess of Cornwall, will also hold talks with some youths, the business community, the Armed Forces, and people from the arts and fashion sectors.

President Muhammadu Buhari received the couple at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prince Charles and members of his entourage arrived the State House at about 2.20p.m.

Buhari, who welcomed the Prince at the Fore Court of the presidential villa, introduced some members of his cabinet and presidential aides to the prince.

The President later went into closed door with Prince Charles.

Prince Charles, 69, will also engage in peace-building activities, including addressing the persistent attacks of herdsmen on farming communities in Nigeria.

He is also expected to discuss practical solutions to alleviating the tensions, arising from the activities of herdsmen.

Prince Charles has made three previous official visits to Nigeria in 1990, 1999 and 2006. This is the first visit of the Duchess to the country.