By Asaye Bankole
President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend, the Presidency announced on Monday.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London, United Kingdom, where he began his vacation before travelling to Paris, France. During his stay in Paris, the President held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the extension in a statement issued on Monday.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu has remained in regular contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to oversee the affairs of the country despite being away.
The Presidency said the President had also issued several directives during his absence. Among them was an order for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend, following the extension of his working vacation by a few days,” the statement said.
During the President’s absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented him at several official engagements.
Shettima, however, departed Abuja on September 20 for New York, United States, where he is scheduled to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The general debate of the UNGA is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 22.
The Presidency said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who has also represented Tinubu at some official functions, would continue to perform such duties while the President remains abroad.
The statement further confirmed that Shettima would represent Tinubu at the UN General Assembly and deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
Meanwhile, Onanuga said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had continued consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country as part of ongoing political engagements.
The Presidency also criticised comments concerning Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly, describing what it called insinuations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm led by an ex-convict as “baseless” and “irresponsible.”
Tinubu’s engagements in Paris included discussions with President Macron and Bolloré, whose business interests span sectors including media and entertainment.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend following the extension of his working vacation.
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