President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria after a 10-day vacation in London.
The presidential plane conveying Buhari and few of his aides landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 6.38pm.
Buhari was received at the airport by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Service Chiefs and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.
Others at the airport to welcome the president included cabinet ministers, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and members of the presidential media team.
The vacation was the latest of several trips to the British capital since he became the president in 2015.
In 2017, Buhari spent a long time in London receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment, raising questions about the health of the 75-year-old former general and his ability to campaign for re-election in presidential polls scheduled for February next year.
The return of the president has put to rest the social media report that he had extended his vacation in London.
Buhari on August 3 commenced 10 days holiday and transmitted a letter to the President of the Senate and the Speaker, House of Representatives to that effect in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.
While the president was in London, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo acted in his stead, in line with the constitution.
While Buharis was away, Osinbajo reportedly signed into law three Bills transmitted by the National Assembly.
His Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed this through a statement on Saturday.
The Acts are the Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2018; the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2018; and the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology (Science) Jos (Establishment) Act, 2018.
According to the statement, “The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2018 provides the framework, as envisaged by Section 303 of the Constitution, for the administration of the Civil Service of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Commission established under the Act will, without prejudice to the powers of the President, be responsible for the appointment and disciplinary control of staff in the Civil Service of the FCT.
“The Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2018 establishes the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria for forestry research, education and training. The Institute, with its Headquarters in Ibadan, will have outstations and colleges in each of the six geo-political zones of the Federation. The institute will, among others, conduct research into the development of agro-forestry systems for the integration of forest trees of economic importance into farming systems; ecology of pests and diseases and their control; and the control of desertification, soil erosion and deforestation.
“The Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology (Science) Jos (Establishment) Act, 2018 establishes the School of Medical Laboratory Technology (Science) Jos, a diploma and certificate-awarding Institute, for training and research in Medical Laboratory Science and other related fields.”