Tinubu Extends Working Vacation, to Return to Nigeria This Weekend
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his ongoing working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has announced.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to commence his working vacation.
The President subsequently travelled to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore, whose business interests include Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.
The Presidency said President Tinubu has remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of government while away.
It cited his 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 (NSCDC) as one of the decisions taken by the President during his vacation.
The statement also noted that Tinubu had delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at several official engagements.
However, Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will continue to represent the President at official events.
On the political front, the Presidency said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.
The Presidency also rejected what it described as “baseless insinuation” by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm regarding President Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA.
According to the statement, Vice President Shettima, who is representing President Tinubu at the global gathering, will deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
The Presidency said President Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria at the weekend following the extension of his working vacation.
