President Bola Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaits further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
In response to the request by the governor of Kwara State, President Tinubu has ordered the deployment of more security men to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of the state and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers.
President Tinubu was scheduled to leave Abuja today to attend the 20th G20 Summit of leaders in South Africa and thereafter proceed to Luanda to attend the 7th AU-EU Summit.
Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure.
A statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga: the President awaits reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who paid a sympathy visit to Kebbi on his behalf, as well as reports from the police and the Department of State Services regarding the attack in Kwara.
President Tinubu reiterated his directive to the security agencies to do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls abducted by the bandits and bring the girls back home safe.
Recall that the President had, in his reaction to the recent terrorist attacks and abduction of schoolgirls, said:
“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes.
“I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.”
Tinubu Jets to S’Africa, Angola for G20, AU Summits
President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday embark on a two-nation visit to Johannesburg, South Africa and Luanda, Angola.
“President Tinubu’s first stop is Johannesburg, where he will attend the 20th summit of the G20 Leaders. After the summit, he will proceed to Angola for the AU-EU summit,” the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement Tuesday evening.
The G20 meeting holds at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from Saturday, November 22, to Sunday, November 23, followed by the AU–EU summit in Luanda from November 24–25.
Invited by South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairperson for this year’s G20, Tinubu will join leaders under the theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” the first G20 hosted on African soil.
The summit will consider inclusive and sustainable growth, debt and development finance, disaster-risk reduction, climate action and just energy transitions, food systems, critical minerals, decent work and artificial intelligence.
The Presidency said the Nigerian leader will also hold bilateral meetings on the margins of the G20 “in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” and to discuss regional peace, security and development.
The African Union, now a full member of the G20 alongside the EU, is expected to participate in Johannesburg.
After the G20 in Johannesburg, Tinubu will join other Heads of State and Government for the AU–EU summit in Luanda, which brings leaders, innovators and civil society together on climate, inclusive development, infrastructure, digital economy, the creative sector, manufacturing and agribusiness.
He will be accompanied by senior officials, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and the Economy, Solid Minerals, and Trade and Investment, as well as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.
The President is due back in Nigeria at the end of both meetings, Onanuga stated.
While the G20 summit makes it Tinubu’s third trip to South Africa since assuming office, he is visiting Luanda, Angola for the first time as Head of State.
Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi
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