Malian president visits el-Rufai, confident of Buhari’s success

The Punch - Nigeria

The President, Republic of Mali, Ibrahim Keita, on Saturday visited Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, expressing confidence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to turn things around in Nigeria.
Keita, who spokes at the late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina House, Kaduna, noted that he attended the inauguration of Buhari on Friday and decided  to come to Kaduna because of his special attachment to the state and governor, el-Rufai.
According to the Malian President, he is convinced that with  the inauguration of Buhari, a new wind of change would blow across Nigeria.
He added that his country would remain committed in strengthening her relation with Nigeria.
Keita said, ‎”I am deeply convinced, since yesterday, that a new dawn, a wonderful wind will blow on Nigeria with the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari and your inauguration as a young and wonderful Governor of this wonderful state of Kadun‎a.
“‎I am delighted to be the first President to visit you in your new capacity as governor of Kaduna State. But I am convinced that I won’t be the last and only President to visit you in Kaduna State.
“My team and I are assuring you of how committed we are and how committed we will be to strengthen relationship between Nigeria and Mali.”
Keita prayed that God would inspire and guide both Buhari and el-Rufai‎ to lead the country and the state to greater height.
El-Rufai said Nigeria and Kaduna State in particular had a lot to learn from the Malian President in their attempt to unite the country and Kaduna State.
He noted that Keita met a country fragmented along ethnic and religious lines.
The governor commended Keita for stabilising and bringing peace to his country(Mali) after he was elected to lead the country.