TINUBU RETURNS TO NIGERIA AFTER EXTENDED EUROPEAN VACATION

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending about four weeks on a working vacation in the United Kingdom and France.

Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 6:22 p.m. on Tuesday and was received by senior government officials and political leaders.

Speaking with journalists after his arrival, the President dismissed concerns about his health, saying he was “healthy, sound, and ready to go.”

Tinubu said rumours were common in politics but maintained that his return showed he was well and ready to resume his activities.

The President departed Abuja on August 30, spending about a week in London before travelling to Paris, where he held meetings with political and business figures.

The Presidency said Tinubu chose to return through Lagos to honour the memory of the late MKO Abiola, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic history and the winner of the annulled June 1993 presidential election.

The President is expected to attend the October 1 premiere of a film honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Lagos. He is also scheduled to hold meetings with political leaders and associates during his stay in the city.

While in France, Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron and business leaders, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group.

He also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for a proposed Gateway deep seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside. The planned project is expected to attract a reported $7bn investment.

Tinubu also met with businessman Femi Otedola during his stay in Paris.

The President’s return ends his extended stay in Europe and marks his resumption of activities in Nigeria.