President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his 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 Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin his working vacation.
After spending a week in London, the President proceeded to Paris, France, where he held engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency said Tinubu has remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of government while away.
Among the matters he has handled remotely was his directive for an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who had been detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.
During his absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented the President at some official engagements.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is representing Nigeria and is expected to deliver the country’s national statement.
With the Vice President at the UN General Assembly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will continue to represent President Tinubu at official events, according to the Presidency.
The Presidency also dismissed as irresponsible the insinuations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm concerning Tinubu’s decision not to attend the UN General Assembly in person.
Tinubu’s current working vacation began as a three-week annual leave, according to the State House’s August 30 announcement.
The President’s latest engagements in Paris included a meeting with Bolloré, during which the business group announced plans to deepen its investments and localisation of operations in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
The Presidency said Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria at the weekend.
