NEWS
President Bola Tinubu Extends European Working Vacation, Set to Return to Nigeria This Weekend
President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is now expected to return to Nigeria this weekend, following the completion of his initial three-week holiday schedule.
The development was disclosed on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who provided an update on the President’s movements and activities since his departure from Nigeria.
President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 and travelled to London, United Kingdom, where he commenced his working vacation. After spending about a week in London, the President proceeded to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and prominent businessman Vincent Bollore.
According to Onanuga, the extension of the President’s stay in Europe is only for a few additional days, with Tinubu expected back in Nigeria before the end of the weekend.
“President Tinubu extends working vacation by a few days.
“President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend, following the extension of his working vacation by a few days.
“President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin the working vacation.
“After spending a week in London, he moved to Paris, France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Mr Vincent Bollore, whose media group includes Canal+, Multichoice, and Universal Music Group,” a statement on Monday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, read in part.
Despite being outside the country, Onanuga said the President has remained engaged with developments in Nigeria and has continued to direct the affairs of government.
Among the issues highlighted was the President’s directive for an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“Since he began the vacation, President Tinubu has continued to keep in touch with home, directing the affairs of the nation, like ordering an independent panel to investigate the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among other things.
“While away, President Tinubu delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official functions. Though Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who has also been representing the President at events, will continue to do so,” Onanuga added.
With Vice President Kashim Shettima currently in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has continued to represent the President at official engagements within the country.
Onanuga also disclosed that political consultations have continued during the President’s absence from Nigeria. He said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading consultations involving prominent party leaders and traditional rulers across the country.
The development comes amid political discussions surrounding the President’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly, particularly after former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, raised questions over Tinubu’s decision not to attend the gathering personally.
The Presidency dismissed those questions, describing the suggestion concerning the President’s absence as a “baseless insinuation” and maintaining that Nigeria is fully represented at the international gathering.
“The Presidency described the baseless insinuation by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm headed by an ex-convict about President Tinubu’s non-attendance at UNGA as irresponsible.
“Vice President Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, will present Nigeria’s national statement,” Onanuga concluded.
President Tinubu’s return this weekend is expected to bring his extended European working vacation to an end, following a period that has combined private engagements with diplomatic and business meetings, while the administration’s affairs have continued under delegated authority.