President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Thursday evening after foreign trips to Saudi Arabia for the Saudi-Africa Summit last week as well Thursday’s 50th Independence Day Celebration of the Guinea Bissau.
Tinubu, who left since November 9 attended the Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh which the government trumpeted would attract more Foreign Direct Investment and expanding business partnerships.
He spent the remaining days in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, performing the lesser hajj and umrah with four State Governors, federal government officials and members of his family.
However, while he was in Saudi Arabia, the friction between Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, and the Saudi Arabian government erupted early Monday morning, resulting in the deportation of 177 of 264 Nigerian pilgrims airlifted by the airline.
Saudi authorities erroneously claimed the deported Nigerian pilgrims did not meet the adequate entry requirements, which the airline refuted. Even while being inside the country, there was no Presidential intervention to resolve the issue on the side of Nigeria and Nigerians.
President Tinubu then left Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night and arrived at Guinea Bissau early hours of Thursday to honour the invitation by the country’s President for the celebration of the 50th Independence Day Anniversary.
The President, who is Chairman of ECOWAS, joined the Chairman of the African Union, Azaali Assoumani, and five other Heads of State in the ceremony which showcased historic, cultural and military displays.
President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo thanked all the leaders for honouring the invitation, particularly the partners that had ensured stability and progress of the country, like Nigeria.
Tinubu left Bissau immediately after the celebration, arriving Abuja, Nigeria later in the evening.