UK, US , others congratulate  Tinubu, pledge support for his administration

Several countries, on Monday, presented goodwill messages and letters of support to President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa in Abuja.

In a statement issued by Tunde Rahman, an aide to Tinubu, the countries included the United Kingdom, United States, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Israel, Cape Verde, Somalia and Nicaragua.

The letters were presented to Tinubu by the countries’ special envoys and heads of missions.

The UK Government has congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima on their inauguration.

According to a statement on Monday, King Charles III expressed his “warmest congratulations” and wish to send Tinubu every possible good wish as you assume the many responsibilities of your office.

Helen Grant, the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Trade to Nigeria and Girls’ Education, also said, “My priority is to strengthen our bilateral trade and investment partnership, to the mutual benefit of our two great nations, and I look forward to working alongside the new administration to further that goal.”

See the full statement below:

UK Government congratulates President Tinubu and VP Shettima on their inauguration

29/05/2023 – The UK Government congratulates Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima on their inauguration as the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In a message to President Tinubu, His Majesty King Charles III said:

“Dear Mr. President,

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to you on your inauguration as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to send you every possible good wish as you assume the many responsibilities of your office.

As Commonwealth partners with a deep bond, I look forward to building an even stronger friendship between our countries during your Presidency.

Charles R’’

The UK delegation at the inauguration in Abuja today is headed by the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria and Special Envoy on Girls’ Education, The Rt Hon Helen Grant OBE MP and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery CMG.

Helen Grant OBE, The Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Trade to Nigeria and Girls’ Education said:

“My priority is to strengthen our bilateral trade and investment partnership, to the mutual benefit of our two great nations, and I look forward to working alongside the new administration to further that goal.

In this, the land of my father, I hold a great affection for its people, and my work in ensuring every girl gets 12 years of quality education will also remain at the top of my Nigerian agenda.”

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery said:

“The UK hopes to work with the new administration as we support a more prosperous and resilient Nigeria, and strengthen our partnership on trade, development, and security.”

The US delegation led by Marcia Fudge, secretary of housing and urban development, also congratulated Tinubu and had a brief bilateral discussion with him.

Similarly, the South Korean delegation delivered a letter of invitation from President Yoon Suk Yeol to Tinubu, inviting him to visit the country soon. The delegation also had discussions with the president, seeking to increase bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Saudi Arabian delegation delivered a goodwill message from the Saudi Royal House to the Nigerian president.

A special envoy of Fumio Kishida, the Japanese prime minister, equally paid a visit to Tinubu and extended a hand of support and fellowship.

In the same vein, a representative of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, met with Tinubu and expressed willingness to work with Nigeria in the area of fintech.

Tinubu was sworn in on Monday as the 16th democratically elected president of Nigeria.