The Presidency has assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu is in good health and continuing with his planned state visit to Türkiye, despite a minor stumble during a ceremonial reception in Ankara.
This update was provided by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, via social media. He confirmed that following the welcome ceremony, President Tinubu proceeded to bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other officials.
The meetings are intended to strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance cooperation in key areas such as defense, trade, investment, and economic development.
Concerns regarding the President’s well-being were addressed by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who clarified that the stumble was due to the President stepping on a metal object, labeling it a mere incident that was blown out of proportion.
A video from the event showed President Tinubu walking alongside Erdoğan when he lost his balance, but he was quickly assisted, and the ceremony continued without disruption. This visit marks Tinubu’s inaugural official engagement in Türkiye, reciprocating Erdoğan’s visit to Nigeria in October 2021.
The agenda for the discussions includes extensive political discussions and agreements on shared values, aiming to unlock economic opportunities. A business forum is also set to connect Nigerian and Turkish investors, further bolstering economic ties.
