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PHOTOS – Tinubu begins 10-day vacation, departs Abuja for Europe

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President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will spend the 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom, after which he will return to Nigeria.

Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.

“The vacation will last 10 working days.

“President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.”

Photo: Bayo Onanuga
Photo: Bayo Onanuga

However, the statement made no mention of Tinubu transmitting a formal letter to the National Assembly, as required under Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to enable Vice President Kashim Shettima to act in his absence. Both chambers of the Assembly are currently on recess.

Photo: Bayo Onanuga

In October 2024, he spent over two weeks in the UK and France on a similar “working vacation” without a formal handover.

Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has become one of Nigeria’s most travelled leaders.

It was reported in October 2024 that in his first 17 months in office, Tinubu and Vice President Shettima undertook 41 trips across 26 countries, collectively spending 180 days abroad. Specifically, Tinubu logged 124 days abroad, visiting 16 countries on 29 trips.

His most recent foreign engagement was in Brazil in August 2025, where he met President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Both countries signed agreements on trade, aviation, energy, and security cooperation, including talks to restore Petrobras’ operations in Nigeria and establish a Lagos–São Paulo direct air link.

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Earlier trips have taken him to the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, Germany, Tanzania, and the United Arab Emirates, among others, where he canvassed for foreign investment and political support.

In January 2025, Tinubu attended the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, focusing on energy cooperation.

In May 2025, he travelled to Rome, Italy, to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, a ceremonial visit. In June–July 2025, he visited Saint Lucia for a state visit to strengthen ties with Caribbean nations.

In June–July 2025, he travelled to Brazil for a state visit to enhance cooperation in trade and agriculture.

In August 2025, he attended the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama in Ghana, a diplomatic visit. In August 2025, he made a brief stopover in the UAE, likely Dubai, en route to Japan.

In August 2025, he attended the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, Japan, for investment and bilateral ties. In August 2025, he returned to Brazil for a second state visit to advance agriculture and aviation agreements.

Critics argue that while the trips project Nigeria’s presence on the global stage, they have yet to yield tangible economic relief for citizens battling high inflation, insecurity, and declining living standards.

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How I Escaped Being Caught In Benin Republic Following Coup Attempt – Dele Momodu Reveals

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He also revealed that a Beninese friend, Alex Dalmeida, had already arrived to accompany them across the French speaking borders, but was subsequently informed that the road trip had been cancelled.

Media personality Dele Momodu has recounted how a change of travel plans helped him narrowly avoid being caught in the unfolding coup attempt in Benin Republic, describing the experience as a moment of divine intervention.

In a detailed post shared on Saturday, December 6, Momodu explained that he and his travel companion, Rotimi Obey, son of legendary Nigerian musician Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, had planned to travel by road to Accra, Ghana, through Benin early that morning, but a delay caused by missing car documents forced a last minute change to air travel.

In his words, Momodu wrote, “OUR GOD DID THIS FOR US… My friend ROTIMI OBEY, the second son of legendary musician, CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY and I were to head out to Accra, Ghana, by road, this morning. All was set and ROTIMI went to bed early so that we can set out at 5am. But something went wrong. Before going to bed, I asked my driver for the originals of my car documents. He said he had only the copies with him. I searched the Home Office in Victoria Island but I couldn’t find it. I then went to the Penthouse in Ikoyi to check my other office. Still no luck. So, I called ROTIMI at 10:38 PM to give him the decision to fly instead of driving. He agreed.”

He also revealed that a Beninese friend, Alex Dalmeida, had already arrived to accompany them across the French speaking borders, but was subsequently informed that the road trip had been cancelled.

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“Meanwhile, my Beninese friend and mentee, ALEX DALMEIDA, was already in town waiting to accompany us through the French speaking borders. So I called him at 23:02 last night to abort our road trip,” Momodu added.

Momodu said flight arrangements were secured shortly before midnight, and it was only when they arrived at the airport that they became aware of the political crisis unfolding in Benin Republic.

“I called PRECIOUS, my travel consultant, to check available flights. She got us tickets at 11:15PM. It was at the airport we received the news of the coup in Benin Republic… We barely missed it by the whiskers…,” he wrote.

Quoting early reports on the takeover, Momodu added, “Soldiers led by Lieutenant Pascal Tigri announce that they have taken over the country. They have suspended all political parties and announced the closure of land, sea and air borders. Benin is one of West Africa’s most peaceful countries.”

He further noted the political backdrop to the upheaval, stating, “The Benin’s President changed the constitution just last month to allow him extend his presidential term, this morning the military has overthrown him.”

He wrote: “OUR GOD DID THIS FOR US…

My friend ROTIMI OBEY, the second son of legendary musician, CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY and I were to head out to Accra, Ghana, by road, this morning. All was set and ROTIMI went to bed early so that we can set out at 5am. But something went wrong. Before going to bed, I asked my driver for the originals of my car documents. He said he had only the copies with him. I searched the Home Office in Victoria Island but I couldn’t find it. I then went to the Penthouse in Ikoyi to check my other office. Still no luck. So , I called ROTIMI at 10:38 PM to give him the decision to fly instead of driving. He agreed.

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Meanwhile, my Beninese friend and mentee, ALEX DALMEIDA, was already in town waiting to accompany us through the French-speaking borders. So I called him at 23:02 last night to abort our road trip.

I called PRECIOUS, my travel consultant, to check available flights. She got us tickets at 11:15PM. It was at the airport we received the news of the coup in Benin Republic… We barely missed it by the whiskers..

“Soldiers led by Lieutenant Pascal Tigri announce that they have taken over the country. They have suspended all political parties and announced the closure of land, sea and air borders. Benin is one of West Africa’s most peaceful countries.”

“The Benin’s President changed the constitution just last month to allow him extend his presidential term, this morning the military has overthrown him.”

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Benin Republic Govt Provides Fresh Update On Attempted Coup, Says Plotters On Run, Some Arrested

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He added that some members of the group have already been arrested after security forces stopped the attempted takeover.

According to a new update from Nigeria’s Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, authorities in Benin Republic have confirmed that Colonel Pascal Tigri, the leader of Sunday’s attempted mutiny, is now on the run.

According to him, “The latest report from the Benin Republic said Colonel Pascal Tigri, the leader of the mutineers who seized the country’s National TV on Sunday, is on the run.”

He added that some members of the group have already been arrested after security forces stopped the attempted takeover.

Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, appeared on national television to announce that the situation had been brought under control.

He explained what happened on Sunday morning.

He said, “Early on Sunday morning, 7 December 2025, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny aimed at destabilising the state and its institutions.

“Faced with this situation, the Beninese armed forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic. Their response allowed them to retain control of the situation and foil the attempt.

“The government therefore urges the population to go about their activities as normal.”

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Terrorism: French President, Emmanuel Macron Reveals Details Of His Phone Call With Tinubu

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The French President, Emmanuel Macron revealed that he spoke with Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu.

France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, has disclosed that he has spoken with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

According to Macron, the conversation centered around the threat of terrorism in Northern Nigeria.

He affirmed to Tinubu that the French people stand in solidarity with the African nation.

Macron also made it clear “no one can remain a spectator” in the fight against terrorists.

He wrote on X: “I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT.

“I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North.

“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement.

“No one can remain a spectator.”

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