- SGF to represent him at official functions till then
By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has said.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, United Kingdom, to begin the working vacation before proceeding to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu has remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of government while away.
The Presidency cited the President’s directive for an independent panel to investigate the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as one of the decisions he took during the vacation.
Tinubu has also delegated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official engagements during his absence.
Shettima, who left Abuja for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, is representing the President at the global gathering and will deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
The Presidency said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, would continue to represent the President at official events where necessary.
On the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has continued consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country alongside other party leaders.
The Presidency also dismissed as irresponsible insinuations by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm headed by an ex-convict over Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.
