President Tinubu Jets Off To Benin Republic With Six State Governors

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will, on Tuesday, travel to the Benin Republic to grace the 63rd independence anniversary celebration of the West African country.

Tinubu’s trip was confirmed in a statement released by former Presidential Spokesman, Dele Alake on Monday, saying the president would be accompanied by six state governors.

The trip is only a day before the nationwide strike by the organised labour over the hardship brought on Nigerians by the Tinubu administration.

The Benin Republic trip would mark the second time the two leaders meet, following their initial interaction during the summit on the New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France. Subsequently, they met at the 63rd Ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held in Guinea-Bissau and, more recently, at the State House, Abuja, where the Benin Republic President honoured the invitation to President Tinubu.

To accompany him in the one-day visit will be six governors: Ogun’s Dapo Abiodun, Lagos’ Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Oyo’s Seyi Makinde, Kwara’s AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, Kebbi’s Nasir Idris, and Niger’s Mohammed Umar Bago including the president’s aides.

“Tinubu, six governors head to Benin Republic on Tuesday. President Bola Tinubu will on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, honour an invitation to attend the 63rd independence anniversary of the Republic of Benin.

“The President, who is also the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, will be the Special Guest of President Patrice Talon at the ceremony.

“President Tinubu had first met with Talon on the sidelines of the summit on New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France, later at the 63rd Ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held in Guinea-Bissau and more recently at the State House, Abuja along with leaders of three other West African nations, where the Benin Republic President invited him for the anniversary.

“President Tinubu had drawn the attention of the Beninese leader to the need to review and strengthen cultural, trade and economic relations between their two countries, highlighting joint border patrols by the Customs and harmonizing regulations on the frontlines.

“The President will be accompanied on the one-day visit by six governors, who were invited by President Talon, and his personal aides. The six governors are: Ogun, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Oyo, Seyi Makinde; Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq; Kebbi, Nasir Idris, and Niger, Mohammed Umar Bago,” the statement said.