The Presidency has stated that President Bola Tinubu is aware of Nigeria’s role as a leader and is ready to embrace the responsibility.
Dele Alake, the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, informed State House Correspondents on Saturday about President Tinubu’s stance after a visit from President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of the Republic of Guinea Bissau at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to Alake, while the visit was private in nature, President Embaló used the opportunity to express his solidarity and willingness to collaborate with Nigeria under President Tinubu’s leadership.
The media office of the State House stated that the visit allowed Embaló, who is currently the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, to strengthen the brotherly relations between the two countries.
“President Embalo praised President Tinubu’s commendable policy initiatives over the past month and highlighted that the international community has applauded the Nigerian leader’s significant achievements,” Alake said.
“He came to show his solidarity and form a bond with a fellow African Head of State, firstly, and particularly as a Head of State in West Africa.
“This is an encouraging indication of what lies ahead for the entire West African region in terms of the positive atmosphere generated by Nigeria’s significant progress over the past month, and the imperative for Nigeria to assert its rightful place in African affairs.
“Everyone is looking up to Nigeria, particularly in Africa and the ECOWAS region, and President Tinubu is prepared to accept the challenge,” he added.
Also accompanying the visiting Bissau-Guinean leader were his Special Adviser Caramo Camara, Chief of Staff Califa Soares, Diplomatic Advisor Ambassador Alfredo Cabral, and Image Operator Bonifacio Correia.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who had previously welcomed the visiting President at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Dele Alake, were also present during the visit.