UK rolling out drums for President Tinubu, sign of Nigeria’s growing international profile – TMSG
Ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s imminent state visit to the United Kingdom this week, the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has lauded the elaborate plans to receive the Nigerian leader, describing it as unique, and unprecedented in many ways.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, it said it significantly reflected Nigeria’s new global top rating in the comity of nations on the watch of President Tinubu.
The statement read in part, “After 37 years that the last Nigerian leader was hosted by a British sovereign, President Bola Tinubu is about to receive a reception reflective and worthy of the country’s prime status in the international community.
“We are aware that the British authorities not only announced the closure of major roads ahead of the state visit, they have also slated a number of bilateral engagements that make the state visit historic in many respects.
“This, for us, is a reflection of the importance of Nigeria in the eye of the world especially at a time the President Bola Tinubu administration has introduced significant economic reforms to stabilise Nigeria’s economy and open it up for big business across various sectors.
“We note that the President received a similar grand reception in France, and Turkey recently where a number of agreements bordering on trade and investment, economic infrastructure and security cooperation were sealed.
“In the case of Britiain, aside from meeting with King Charles III at the Windsor Castle, President Tinubu is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street on a number of issues ranging from ongoing trade relations to current strategic partnerships between the two countries.
“He is also to hold a private sector-led business summit with Nigerian and British business leaders where President Tinubu will have more opportunities to make his usual ‘sales pitch’ on Nigeria as well as the various incentives his administration has initiated to atract Foreign Direct Investments (FIDs).
“We dare say that the President will use the platform to present Nigeria’s ongoing reform story and outline the vast investment opportunities across key sectors of the economy including mining and energy that have been reinvigorated with a view to attracting global capital.
“Particularly, it is necessary to emphasise that Nigeria is Britain’s second largest trading partner in Africa with annual bilateral trade estimated at about £8 billion pounds across energy, finance, education, technology, and retail.
“We are elated at the sight of miniature Nigerian flags on some major roads in London ahead of the President’s state visit.”
TMSG expressed conviction that President Tinubu’s visit will go down in the Anglo-Nigerian bilateral history as the most significantly exploratory in the way it would bring quality outcomes that will boost Nigeria’s economic trajectory.
