President Bola Tinubu has extended his working holiday by a few days and will return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency said on Monday.
A statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that the President left Nigeria on 30 August for London to begin the working holiday. After one week in the British capital he travelled to Paris.
In France the President held discussions with President Emmanuel Macron and with businessman Vincent Bollore. Mr Bollore controls a media group that takes in Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
The statement said President Tinubu has remained in close contact with officials in Nigeria and has continued to give directions on national business. One such instruction was the creation of an independent panel to examine the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna after they were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented the President at a number of official events. According to the statement the Vice President left Abuja on 20 October for New York to take part in the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, will carry on representing the President at functions.
On political matters Senator Abubakar Yari, Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council, has been leading senior party figures in talks with prominent traditional rulers.
The Presidency described as irresponsible what it called baseless remarks by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a lobbying firm based in the United States, a firm headed by a former convict, concerning the Presidents decision not to attend the United Nations gathering in person.
Vice President Shettima will present Nigerias national statement at the assembly.
By John James
