State visit: Tinubu to depart Abuja for France on Wednesday

President Bola Tinubu will tomorrow, Wednesday, depart Abuja to begin a state visit to France in honour of an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron.

According to the Presidency in a statement, President Tinubu’s three-day visit will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture and security.

The statement, issued by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that other areas of focus are education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, which promise significant benefits for Nigeria.

It further stated that President Tinubu and his wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, will be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides, and Palais de l’Élysée, by Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.

During the visit, President Tinubu and President Macron will harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programs that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.

Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication.

They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.

Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

President Tinubu and his wife will be hosted at a state dinner by the French leader before their departure.

Top government officials will accompany President Tinubu on the trip.