Details have emerged regarding the private meeting held between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau at Tinubu’s residence in Lagos.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that President Embalo, who also serves as the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, visited Lagos and engaged in discussions with President Tinubu earlier in the day.
During the meeting, President Embalo expressed his admiration for President Tinubu’s notable policy initiatives in the past month and commended the strides made by the Nigerian leader, which have garnered international praise. He acknowledged the positive impact of Nigeria’s recent progress and emphasised the importance of Nigeria assuming its rightful place in African affairs.
President Embalo remarked, “Everyone is looking up to Nigeria, especially in Africa and the ECOWAS region, and President Tinubu is ready to take up the gauntlet.”
He also emphasised the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for President Tinubu’s efforts in repositioning Nigeria, asserting that the economic measures implemented would benefit not only Nigeria but the entire West African region.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Dele Alake, the Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy to the President, addressed the press, confirming that the meeting was strictly private and held between two African brother presidents.
Alake described the meeting as cordial and highlighted President Embalo’s appreciation for President Tinubu’s recent policy actions.
“He expressed his readiness to cooperate with Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu at all times, just as the rest of the world has commended him for his recent policies,” Alake stated.
The discussion also touched upon the forthcoming ECOWAS head of government meeting and explored other areas of potential cooperation.
The meeting was attended by notable figures in the Nigerian government, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, and Alake himself.
This newspaper learnt that following over three hours of discussions, the Guinea-Bissau leader departed.
