By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu were on Wednesday treated to a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle, where they are being hosted by King Charles, the first Nigerian state visit to the UK in the last 37 years.
Tinubu, leader of the Africa’s most populous nation at the beginning of the two-day visit was greeted by senior royals including Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The King and President Tinubu will give speeches on Wednesday evening at the state banquet, which will be attended by political leaders and celebrities with links to Nigeria.
The traditional lunch with the King at Windsor will however not hold, as Tinubu a Muslim is observing Ramadan fast.
Tinubu and Nigeria’s first lady who arrived in the UK on Tuesday, were given the ceremonial grandeur of a royal welcome, with a carriage procession and then a military parade on the manicured lawns inside Windsor Castle.
They were met by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, at the luxury spa hotel Fairmont Windsor Park before being escorted to the town to formally meet the King and Queen.
As the carriage procession carrying the King and his guest arrived into Windsor Castle’s quadrangle they were met by a guard of honour and the band of the Grenadier Guards – which played the Nigerian and British national anthems as they travelled round the square.
The visit is expected to boost Nigeria’s business links, including financial services.
“This state visit is about turning a historic relationship into a modern economic partnership – transforming trust into opportunity,” the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris stated.
“Nigeria’s economic reforms are unlocking the potential of Africa’s largest consumer market. The United Kingdom is a natural partner in what comes next.
“This visit marks the next step in deepening co-operation across trade, finance and defence,” Idris said.
On Thursday, Mrs Tinubu, who is also an ordained pastor, is expected to preach at a service at Lambeth Palace and meet representatives from the Church of England.
