Tinubu to attend Benin’s 63rd independence anniversary Tuesday
Barring any change in plans, President Bola Tinubu is expected to depart Nigeria on Tuesday to the Republic of Benin to honour an invitation to attend their 63rd independence anniversary. A statement by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President, on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy, noted that his principal, who doubles as 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. Tinubu first met with Talon on the sidelines of the summit on the 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. The statement added that 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 harmonising regulations on the frontlines. Alake said 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 Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq (Kwara), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger).