Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Netherlands, Saudi trip; To commission Funtua Inland Dry Port Thursday

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday returned to Nigeria after attending the Special World Economic Forum (WEF), meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Communications and Strategy, had on his X handle on Tuesday, assured that the President was due back home Wednesday.

Recall that the President’s whereabout had generated public debate, when he did not arrive, about seven days after WEF meeting which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 28 to 29 April, 2024.

The President had left Nigeria on Tuesday, April 23, for a two leg foreign trips that took him first, to the Kingdom of the Netherlands on an official visit, from where he proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Special meeting of the World Economic Forum WEF, from 28 to 29th of April,2024.

Ajuri Ngelale, the Presidential Spokesman, had in a statement, said the visit to the Netherlands, was at the invitation of Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

While in the Netherlands, the President had participated in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum that will bring together heads of conglomerates and organizations in both countries to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, especially in agriculture and water management towards innovative solutions for sustainable farming practices.

After his engagements in the Netherlands, the President proceeded to attend a special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting scheduled for April 28-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

At the World Economic Forum meeting, which focused on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development, President Tinubu and his entourage actively participated in the discussions, using the opportunity of the gathering to strike economic deals, with the like of Bill Gates, founder of the Microsoft

But while other government officials who accompanied the President had returned, the President was yet to arrive.

A top Presidency source however confirmed that the President proceeded to the United Kingdom for undisclosed reasons

The top Presidency official who does not want his name in print noted that it has been the usual practice for the “President to take time off, after such hectic meetings and engagements”

According to him, ” the President’s absence has not affected government business, he was been working and the Vice President is also on ground.”

Meanwhile, all is set for the commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port in Katsina State by President Bola Tinubu Thursday, May 9, 2024.

The spokesperson of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Rebecca Adamu, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, said the commissioning ceremony will be attended key dignitaries, government officials and industry stakeholders.

She said the completion and commissioning of the dry port mark a pivotal moment of the NSC’s commitment in facilitating trade in Nigeria.

It was part of Nigerian Shipper’s Council’s Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to deliver the Funtua Inland Dry Port before the end of the first quarter of 2024.

According to the Executive Secretary/CEO of NSC, Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, the establishment of Inland Dry Ports being promoted by the Council will, among other things, bring shipping and port services closer to the importers and exporters at the hinterland, decongest the seaports, create job opportunities, improve and accrue huge revenue to the government.

Recall that in February, 2023, the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration declared Funtua IDP as a Port of Origin and Destination which paved the way for importers and exporters to officially consign their cargo from Funtua to any part of the world.

This is the third IDP commissioned by the Federal Government. The first was the Kaduna IDP commissioned in 2018 and Dala IDP commissioned in 2023.