By Paul Joseph
The Presidency has assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is “hale and hearty” and remains engaged with official duties while on his working vacation in Europe.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the clarification in a statement on Sunday, amid renewed attention over Tinubu’s absence from Abuja and his decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Onanuga said the President was entitled to his annual vacation and did not need to be physically present in Abuja to discharge his responsibilities in an era of digital communication.
According to him, Tinubu has continued to engage in official activities while abroad, including meetings with investors in France.
The presidential aide cited the recent signing of agreements between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Seaport and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone as part of the President’s engagements.
The agreements, signed in Paris on September 24, envisage an initial investment of more than $7 billion and are projected by the Presidency to create over 50,000 direct jobs when fully developed.
The Presidency also defended Tinubu’s decision to delegate Nigeria’s representation at the UN General Assembly to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Shettima led Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st UNGA in New York and was mandated to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements on behalf of the country.
Onanuga further pointed to the absence of other African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, from this year’s UNGA as part of the Presidency’s defence of Tinubu’s decision.
His comments followed questions from opposition politician Peter Obi concerning Tinubu’s whereabouts and absence from the global gathering.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu has remained in contact with officials at home and continued directing government affairs during his stay abroad. Earlier, the State House announced that the President had extended his working vacation by a few days after initially departing Nigeria on August 30.
Tinubu is now expected to return to Nigeria this week ahead of the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1.
The President is also scheduled to serve as Chief Host at the Lagos premiere of MKO, a documentary chronicling the life and political struggle of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
The documentary is scheduled to premiere at the National Theatre on October 1 before its nationwide cinema release on October 2.
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