Former United Kingdom Prime Minister, Tony Blair landed in Nigeria on Tuesday to pay president-elect, Bola Tinubu a visit.
Tinubu, on his official Twitter account (@OfficialBAT), revealed the purpose of the visitation.
His Tweet reads“I received former British Prime Minister and founder Tony Blair Institute for Good Governance, Mr Tony Blair, at the Defence House, Abuja, earlier today,” the incoming President stated.
“We discussed areas of mutual interests and how Nigeria can continue to benefit from the amazing work of the Institute.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima were in attendance.
Since Tinubu was declared winner of the February 25 presidential election, he has been receiving calls and congratulatory messages from several world leaders, including the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
Recently, the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, called Tinubu, emphasising his continued commitment to further strengthening the US-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration.
Spokesperson Matthew Miller who disclosed this in a brief communique, said the Secretary noted that the U.S-Nigeria partnership is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties and that those links should continue to strengthen under President-elect Tinubu’s tenure.
A week later, US President, Joe Biden announced a nine-member delegation for Tinubu’s swearing-in on May 29.
The delegation will be led by Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge.
Other members of the Presidential Delegation include David Greene, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., U.S. Embassy Abuja; The Honorable Sydney Kamlager-Dove, United States Representative (D), California; the Honorable Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce; General Michael E. Langley, and Commander of U.S. Africa Command, the Honorable Enoh T. Ebong, Director.
The inauguration programmes will begin on Thursday May 24th with the investiture of Tinubu as Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic and the Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima, as Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
