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Tinubu
By Tunde Rahman
It is said that no one does ceremonies quite like the British. This much was obvious last week when Nigeria literally strutted the red carpet rolled out in her honour on the ancient and hallowed grounds of Windsor and 10 Downing Street.
By the time the curtains were drawn on President Bola Tinubu’s two-day official visit to the United Kingdom last Thursday, March 19, after his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, not a few who witnessed the series of events put together to mark the visit or watched them live on television, and many others in Nigeria and across the world concluded it was a historic and glorious moment for Nigeria, and no less for President Tinubu. Whether observing the ceremonies physically or on television, one would be proud to be a Nigerian.
The pomp and ceremony that greeted the visit are worth repeating for their splendour, glory and grandeur. His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla received President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at Windsor Castle’s Quadrangle.
The President reviewed the guard of honour and was treated to a 42-gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation were treated to a state banquet later that evening.
The visit highlights Nigeria’s return to the international stage on the back of the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, which have stabilised the Naira, liberalised the investment climate and modernised the tax system, resulting in renewed global recognition and commendation.
Historically, the state visit by President Tinubu came 37 years after a similar visit by military President Ibrahim Babangida in 1989, four years after he took over power.
The underlying difference between the two visits lay in the significance. While the visit by General Babangida, a military ruler, occurred during the dark days of military dictatorship in Nigeria, the recent one took place under a blossoming 27-year-old democracy. This largely explains why the enthusiasm that greeted last week’s visit and the ceremonies accompanying it was deeper.
The late Queen Elizabeth II hosted General Babangida, while King Charles III who is no stranger to Nigeria, having visited on several occasions hosted President Tinubu.
Both President Tinubu and King Charles III spoke and interacted as friends and brothers of sorts. One could sense the warmth and affection on display between the two leaders, with King Charles holding President Tinubu’s hand “with love,” as one viral social media post put it.
President Tinubu has emerged as the first Nigerian leader to be so hosted at Windsor Castle. The significance of Windsor Castle, that royal residence in England steeped in history, should not be lost on us.
According to Wikipedia, as the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, it’s been a central part of the British monarchy for over 900 years, hosting pivotal events and housing monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II, who spent a significant amount of time there. William the Conqueror reportedly built the castle in the 11th Century as a defensive ring of fortifications around London.
Beyond all of that, there are also other equally remarkable parts of the visit during which the real gains of the two-day visit crystallised.
Nigeria and Britain have a longstanding relationship that dates back to colonial days. After Nigeria’s independence, the relationship developed into business and trade partnerships. At the moment, Nigeria is one of the United Kingdom’s largest trading partners.
Official records show trade between Nigeria and the United Kingdom totalled £8.1 billion, an 11.4% increase from the previous year. Energy products and services largely account for this phenomenal growth.
Rahman is Senior Assistant to President Tinubu on Media & Special Duties.
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