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The Presidency says President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday embark on a state visit to France.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
He said Tinubu will be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.
Read Also: Tinubu Seeks Bigger Budget For Nigeria’s Space Ambitions
Onanuga said the visit is in honour of an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron.
“The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication. They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.
“Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative,” the statement read.
According to the presidential spokesman, the President would be travelling with his wife and other senior government officials.
He added that the president and his wife will be hosted at a state dinner by the French leader before their departure.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu urged the Nigerian legislature to make the nation’s space programme a top priority, advocating for substantial increases in funding and the necessary reforms to elevate the programme’s capabilities. He emphasized the critical need for national support to ensure that Nigeria competes effectively in the global space race.
This call from President Tinubu came as he officially opened the 25th anniversary event of the National Space Research and Development Agency, which took place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. He used the occasion to stress the critical need for greater investment and reform in the country’s space programme.
He highlighted the indispensable role that a robustly funded and strategically empowered space sector plays in advancing Nigeria’s growth, stressing that such a sector is key to maintaining the country’s dominant position in Africa’s fast-developing space industry.
On behalf of the President, Minister Uche Nnaji highlighted the pressing need for enhanced support to secure Nigeria’s position in the emerging fourth industrial revolution. He also pointed to the importance of expanding Nigeria’s global presence in space exploration through stronger international collaborations.
