President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has resumed his official duties at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This was disclosed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, October 21, 2024. Onanuga posting on X said the president met with the First Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Chairman, Zach Adedeji in his office. He wrote: “President Bola Tinubu at his desk this morning, after his two-week vacation. His first meeting was with FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji.” Tinubu had travelled to Europe on a two-week leave. He returned to the country two days ago after the leave in the United Kingdom and France. Tinubu, who arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, around 7:20pm, was received by senior members of the administration. The President had departed for the two-week working vacation on Wednesday, October 2 as part of his annual leave, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Meanwhile, it was reported that Tinubu has tasked Vice-President Kashim Shettima with leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), set to take place in Apia, Samoa. The directive was announced by Stanley Nkwocha, the senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, in a statement on Sunday. The meeting, scheduled from October 21 to 26, will bring together leaders from 56 member countries, including King Charles of England. This year’s summit will focus on the theme: “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming Our Commonwealth.” Discussions will center on building resilience, unlocking potential, and fostering a digitally connected Commonwealth. Vice-President Shettima will join other global leaders in addressing critical issues such as the global economy, environmental sustainability, and security challenges. The summit aims to explore how Commonwealth nations can collaborate to strengthen trade, innovation, and growth while empowering the 1.5 billion young people across member countries for a peaceful and sustainable future. An important agenda item for the 2024 CHOGM will be the election of the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. As part of the regional rotation principle, the new leader will be selected from Africa, with candidates from Lesotho, Ghana, and The Gambia vying for the role. Nigeria, as the largest African member of the Commonwealth, is expected to play a pivotal role in this decision. In addition to participating in key forums, including the Commonwealth Business Forum and the People’s Forum, VP Shettima will engage in bilateral meetings with global leaders and work to attract foreign investors to Nigeria. He will seek to consolidate on the progress made during the 2022 CHOGM, with a focus on fostering cooperation for the development of member states. Post navigation President re-energised, working to get Nigeria at cruising level, says Gbajabiamila.
