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Where Is Tinubu? – Nigerians Lambast Presidency For Keeping Mute On Leader ‘Absent Without Official Leave’

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May 4, 2024

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SaharaReporters had on Thursday exclusively reported Tinubu’s unannounced trip to Paris, France in what multiple sources confirmed was for medical reasons.

The silence of Nigeria’s presidency about President Bola Tinubu’s unofficial trip to France has revived raging debates over concerns and secrecy of the president’s state of health.

SaharaReporters had on Thursday exclusively reported Tinubu’s unannounced trip to Paris, France in what multiple sources confirmed was for medical reasons.

“The President is in France to see his doctors,” a source had said.

An investigation by SaharaReporters had revealed that a Nigerian presidential aircraft, a Gulfstream Aerospace GV-SP (G550) with registration number 5N-FGW and serial number 5310 (Mode-S 0640F2) with Tinubu onboard arrived at Paris Airport-Le Bourget, France around 04:00pm on Thursday from an airport in London.

The President on Tuesday morning left Saudi Arabia – where he attended the World Economic Forum – for London.

A statement issued last week by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale said the special WEF meeting in Riyadh would end on Monday, April 29.

“After his engagements in the Netherlands, President Tinubu will proceed to attend a special World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting scheduled for April 28-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,” the statement had read.

Meanwhile, in the statement, the Presidency carefully left out information about when Tinubu was expected back in Nigeria after the international forum or that he would visit the UK and France after leaving Saudi Arabia.

Also, the Presidency has been silent on President Tinubu’s whereabouts since the international summit ended on Monday, April 29.

Efforts to reach Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, for comments and clarification failed as he did not answer calls from SaharaReporters. He also did not reply to messages sent to his mobile phone.

However, SaharaReporters learnt that the 5N-FGW (Gulfstream Aerospace) which was operated as Nigerian Air Force 1 – meaning the President was on board – left Riyadh International Airport on Tuesday, April 30 at 12:05 am (02:05 am Saudi Arabian time) and arrived at Stansted Airport, London at 06:35 am, UK time.

EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu Lands In France ‘For Medical Reasons’ As Presidency Keeps Mute On His Whereabouts Since World Economic Forum Ended Monday In Saudi
May 02, 2024
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The jet was used to replace the Boeing Business Jet (Boeing 737-700) 5N-FGT that is still in Germany for repairs.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians have taken over the social media to demand the whereabouts of Tinubu who has not been seen in public since he met with Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist, Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last Sunday, April 28.

The president who was supposed to make a public address to Nigerian civil servants on May 1 workers’ day was nowhere in sight.

Also, the President didn’t attend the last Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting.

Recently, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima has been attending and taking charge in so many occasions where Tinubu himself should have shown up.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians have declared the President Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL).

They wondered why Tinubu has refused to return to Nigeria after the WEF meeting ended in Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Some of them who took to the social media platform, X (formerly Twitter) said:

Paul Ibe, @OfficialPaulIbe said, “The whereabouts of Nigerian president must never be a subject of speculation. If Tinubu is in France for medicals, as reported by @SaharaReporters, or elsewhere, Nigerians deserve to know. After all, he is our property and is spending state resources.”

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DauDuSheshi, @MrGEO01 wrote, “The citizens must be allowed to know the status of their President and his medical conditions.

Every citizen is entitled to lead the Nation but it will be wrong for the President to be under serious medical need and keep that hidden from the citizens. We cant keep staying in dark.”

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Abayomi, @thebearsze said, “The president has been AWOL for a week. LMAO. This is what you people fought for? What you destroyed friendships and community for?The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

CHIDYE, @gentlechidye wrote, “This is why there was no address on Workers Day!”

Rhatti Bwoy, @donballen wrote, “Who knew our president has been awol for a week lol.”

Eighth wonders of the world, @gabrielonyebu10 wrote, “”I built Lagos” don run go hide for France for medical reason. Them no dey build hospital for Lagos? Ndi mgbu”

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Thomas NOT Sankara, @Isidore0001 said, “We knew he is awol for medical check up. This is no news, rather a pattern.”

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@ajaGunSEgun_ wrote, “For whatever reason, if Nigerians continue to allow political office holders to travel abroad for medical treatment or send their children to foreign universities, etc., meaningful development in both sectors will be impossible.”

john_though, @hey_watever wrote, “Tinubu’s first year: The dollar soars, petrol prices skyrocket, and the cost of living is unbearable. The minimum wage barely covers a bag of rice.

What progress has been made? Where is the ‘work’ we were promised?”

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Before the 2023 general elections, Tinubu’s health was a source of concern for many Nigerians.

SaharaReporters had reported how the former Lagos governor spent over four months patronising hospitals in France, the United States and the United Kingdom where he underwent several surgeries between 2020 and 2022.

He was flown out of the country some days before Christmas in 2020 to Paris, France. The President returned to Nigeria on January 24, 2021, after a month’s absence from Nigeria.

He also went for a medical check-up in France in June 2021 and was conspicuously absent from a one-day working visit of then-President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos State. Tinubu, amidst death rumours, was forced to return to the country on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

SaharaReporters also reported that Tinubu was hospitalised in Maryland, the United States in July 2021. On August 9, the APC leader had another knee surgery at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, U.S.

The APC chieftain, it was learnt, left the U.S. for the United Kingdom on crutches, a few days after the surgery

Sources close to Tinubu had told SaharaReporters that he wanted the surgery in Paris, France but changed his plan over rumours of his death.

In August, his predecessor, President Buhari paid a visit to Tinubu in London and the latter was seen with a walking stick during Buhari’s visit, confirming SaharaReporters’ story that he had undergone surgery in the US.

Upon his return in October 2022, Tinubu confirmed that he underwent surgery on his right knee as well as post-surgery physiotherapy on the said knee during his medical trip abroad.

SaharaReporters also reported how the President, after the May 29, 2023 swearing-in became exhausted and went on a bed rest.

SaharaReporters also exclusively reported that Tinubu returned to France to see his doctors, weeks before his inauguration on May 29.

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Tinubu distributes palliatives to SUG presidents nationwide

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January 14, 2025

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President Bola Tinubu has extended palliative support to Student Union Government (SUG) Presidents across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The distribution of rice, facilitated by the Special Adviser on Students Engagement, Asefon Sunday, took place in Abuja.

During the event, Asefon explained that the initiative was part of the President’s ongoing efforts to support students and their communities. He recalled a similar gesture in December 2024, when student leaders received palliative support during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“Today, SUG Presidents across the Federation will receive rice from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a leader who values students not just as tomorrow’s leaders but as leaders of today,” Asefon said.

He noted that the rice, initially meant for distribution in December 2024, arrived late in Abuja on December 28. To ensure proper distribution, representatives were invited to Abuja to personally receive the items. Two SUG Presidents were selected from each zone to oversee and manage the distribution process.

“This is unprecedented. For the first time in this country, a sitting President is directly reaching out to student leaders during the festive season,” Asefon remarked.

Looking ahead, Asefon assured students of more benefits under the Presidential initiative in 2024. “This is a time for Nigerian youth and students to reflect, express their views, and engage actively with the government. The impact of this administration is now being felt by students nationwide,” he added.

Fahad Abdullahi, the SUG President of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, expressed gratitude on behalf of the student leaders. “We were informed that all SUG Presidents across the nation would receive rice, a kind gesture from the President. We sincerely appreciate this initiative and commend him for his focus on students, from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to this Rice Initiative,” Abdullahi said.

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Tinubu appoints DSS deputy DG

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January 14, 2025

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President Bola Ahmed Tinibu has approved the appointment of Folashade Arinola Adekaiyaoja fsi+, fdc, as Deputy Director General for the Service.

The approval, the first by any president, has drawn commendation from a large section of serving and retired DSS officers who see the move as aimed at restoring professionalism to the Service.

The presidential approval, it was gathered, seeks to revise the agency’s structure for better efficiency, in line with the original onanogram of the service.

Checks revealed that the DSS is structured to comprise three Deputy Directors General in its hierarchy.

The appointment and ratification by the President, according to elated operatives of the agency, was based on the recommendation of the DG through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

One of the sources told Vanguard that the appointment is in line with its extant regulations and unprecedented in the history of the Secret service.

The appointment of Adekaiyaoja, a native of Kogi State, it was gathered, is being celebrated by a cross section of officers and operatives who see her as eminently qualified for the position.

It was further gathered that President Tinubu had, in line with his promise to improve on the security of life and property of Nigerians, tasked the heads of security agencies to come up with proposals on how to improve on their service delivery.

“It was on this note,” offered a security source, “that the President approved the DG’s recommendation, which many serving and retired officers are confident would boost career progression in the Service.”

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Wike signs 5,481 C-of-O in one year, FCT land allottees now get title documents in two weeks

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January 14, 2025

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As at December 31, 2024, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has signed a total of 5,481 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O), the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, has said.

This is 2,919 less than the total number of C-of-O printed and signed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from 2010 to 2023 (13 years).

In a statement on Tuesday, Olayinka said; “the moment necessary payments are made, land allottees can now get their C-of-O within two weeks.”

He said “one of the reasons land allottees do not find it compelling to pay for their C-of-O is because when they pay, they wait for years. But in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, that has changed now.

“Even uploading of necessary information to show when a C-of-O is collected as well as details on the collector that used to take months, is now done within 72 hours.”

Giving details of C-of-O produced and signed in the FCT in the last 15 years, the Minister’s Spokesperson said; “From May 2010 to May 2015, total of 5,655 Certificates of Occupancy were produced and signed.

“From May 2015 to May 2019, a total of 1,174 Certificates of Occupancy were produced and signed, while 1,571 were done between May 2019 and May 2023.

“Meanwhile, from May 2023 that President Tinubu assumed office till December 31, 2024, a total of 5,481 Certificates of Occupancy were produced and signed by the FCT Minister.

“Also, in the next few weeks, land allottees whose C-of-O are ready for collection will begin to receive auto-generated SMS because it has been discovered that most of them don’t even know that their title documents are ready.”

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