King Charles sends Tinubu congratulatory message saying he looks forward to working with Nigeria

BRITISH monarch King Charles III has congratulated Nigeria on the smooth transition of power from the Buhari regime to the Tinubu administration saying that he looks forward to building a deeper relationship between the country and the UK.

Yesterday, Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima were sworn-in as Nigeria's president and vice president respectively at a grand ceremony in Abuja. Attended by international dignitaries, including a string British contingent, the event was concluded without any hitch and at the end of it, King Charles sent President Tinubu a personal message.

King Charles 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.”

A UK delegation headed by Helen Grant, the prime minister’s trade envoy to Nigeria and special envoy on girls’ education, represented Britain at the event. On the entourage was Richard Montgomery, the British high commissioner to Nigeria, who added that the UK would work with the new administration to support a more prosperous and resilient Nigeria and strengthen partnership on trade, development and security.

Ms Grant 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.”