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Tinubu offers French investors ‘easy in, easy out’ opportunity for skills development to bridge the gaps, Says Onanuga

•Macron welcoming Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to Elysee Palace…yesterday. With them are Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Hyacinth Alia (Benue); Peter Mbah (Enugu); Dikko Radda (Katsina) and Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar
•Macron welcoming Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to Elysee Palace…yesterday. With them are Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Hyacinth Alia (Benue); Peter Mbah (Enugu); Dikko Radda (Katsina) and Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar
Tinubu pledges skills development for out-of-schoolchildren
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with France in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education and security.
Tinubu made the pledgeduring a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
The two leaders later addressed a joint news conference.
The President, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also emphasised his administration’s commitment to skill acquisition training for Nigerians, especially children who have “been out of school for years”.
Tinubu highlighted the vast and largely untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He called on international investors to capitalise on opportunities in the sector.
“The French—Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another country,” said the President.
Tinubu described Nigeria’s financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises.
He said: “Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in food security.
“It is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country.
“We are working on stability and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better.”
The President said Nigeria’s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that would directly impact Nigerians.
“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business and close to this, we have a vibrant youth population that is educated, and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development,” Tinubu said.
He implored the French government to extend to Nigeria, trainings that would develop its youth population.
“Furthermore, we should de-risk the opportunities in the solid minerals. We have the potential and we have agreed on a deeper and deeper relationship,” the President added.
Tinubu noted that Nigeria, like most African nations, has been preoccupied with tackling food insecurity.
He said: “A starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st century, no child should go to bed hungry.
“If an African child is given a glass of milk in a class, there will be no problem in getting him to return and stay in school to learn. The more educated the children are, the better it is for us.”
President Tinubu said the blue economy in Nigeria also provides a huge opportunity for investment, with unexplored potential in fishery.
“In Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic Ocean. For us, fishery is an important aspect of investment.
“We want to assure the French investment community that Nigeria is open for business. It shall be easy in and easy out,” he stated.
Tinubu outlined plans to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children through innovative return-to-class initiatives and skills development programmes.
Chairman, United Bank of Africa (UBA)/Founder, Heirs Holding, Tony Elumelu and French Finance Minister, Antoine Armand signing an agreement at the Elysee Palace, Paris…yesterday. With them are Presidents Tinubu and Macron
“To bridge the gap for some who are of age, and have been out of school for a while, we will encourage skills development,” he stated.
The President told Macron and his wife, Brigitte, that Nigeria’s developmental potential hinges on a well-educated populace.
He said although “insecurity in some parts of the country makes it hard for children to return to school, we are gradually re-populating the classrooms.”
“We need skills development to bridge the gaps,” the President added.
He also highlighted efforts by his administration to enhance security across the country.
“With some more efforts, we will be able to get some level of stability. We had a very good harvest this year and as soon as more farmers can go back to the farm, we will have more stability in harvest and supply,” Tinubu said.
On global security, the President noted that there was a need for collective responsibility to fight terrorism.
“Nigeria is a partner in progress. We are ready to partner with France so that we can have security operations that will stop the challenge of migration,” he said.
President Macron acknowledged the state visit by Tinubu, saying it will herald deeper bilateral relationships between the two countries.
He emphasised collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-focused initiatives.
Macron acknowledged Nigeria’s vast growth potential and the importance of investing in educational initiatives.
He reflected on his formative experiences during his six-month internship at the French Embassy in Nigeria.
Macron also noted that global humanitarian challenges could only be solved with governments working together.
He said: “We have confidence that you, Mr. President, will reinforce our relationship with Nigeria, and it will cover the West Coast region, with ECOWAS playing the leading role.
“I will seek your leadership to work as partners of progress. You are the great leader of the great country in Africa.
“We appreciate your visionary leadership and energy in transforming the economy of your country. We will work together for collective, global success,” he said.
The French leader assured that he would encourage more investments in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Both countries signed an agreement after Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake made a presentation on the sector’s potential.
President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were welcomed with full honours at Hotel Les Invalides and Palais De l’Élysée by Macron and his wife, Brigitte.
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Tinubu returns from Paris today, Says Onanuga

President Bola Tinubu is set to return to Nigeria today after spending close to two weeks abroad, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed.
Onanuga, in a brief post on X, wrote: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.”
The Presidency had earlier assured Nigerians that despite the President’s stay overseas, he remained fully engaged with national governance.
In a statement last Thursday, Onanuga explained: “The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.”
He further emphasised that Tinubu’s absence was temporary and “in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks,” with his return scheduled for April 21, following the Easter holidays.
“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership.
“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption,” the statement added.
Tinubu had departed for Paris on April 2, 2025, for what the Presidency described as a two-week working visit. According to Onanuga, the trip was intended to “appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.”
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Opeifa request for the state government to assist the Railway Police and Otti, thanks Tinubu for picking the best material to rewrite Nigeria Railway history

Gov. Otti describes Opeifa as a thorough-bred professional ready to rewrite Nigeria Railway history
Lauds President Tinubu for picking the best material to reposition Nigeria’s oldest corporation
A deserving commendation came the way of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, as the Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, described him as an exceptional professional, most suitable to lead the Nigeria’s oldest surviving public corporation.
Governor Otti spoke on Wednesday, at the Government House in Abia State, during a business visit by the MD/CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, as part of his familiarization tour of the Eastern District of the Corporation.
According to Governor Otti: “I have had so many engagements with past leaders of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, you are clearly different and knows the job”. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Dr. Opeifa to lead the Nigerian Railway Corporation, expressing assurance at his ability to deliver.
He thanked the MD/CEO for promising to synergize with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and the State Government to see that the transformation of the transportation system in Umuahia is achieved. According to the Governor, “Umuahia Bus terminal is progressing rapidly and we felt that it is important to replicate what we have in Paignton, United Kingdom in Umuahia, by linking the train station with the Terminal to enhance intermodal transportation services.
The Governor stated that he was very happy to see that the MD/CEO is committed to taking the track from Aba to Enugu and even beyond. He recalled, with nostalgia how the train had served the people of the state and regretted the downward trends of rain services across the entire South East.
On the MD/CEO’s request for the state government to assist the Railway Police in the state, Governor Otti promised that his government will provide mobility for Aba Railway Police.
He added that the state government is always ready to support the Federal Government institutions as users of such federal institutions are people of the state, adding that his administration cannot differentiate between federal and state government workers.
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Airlin Advocacy Commissions Jos Office, Targets 7m Members By Next Elections,Says Mohammed Gamawa

During the inauguration ceremony, the National Chairman of Airlin, Mohammed Gamawa, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to educating Nigerians on their civic rights and responsibilities.
According to Gamawa, Airlin aims to bridge the gap between citizens and the principles of the rule of law by fostering a society where people understand not only their rights but also what is expected of them by the country.
“Our goal is to foster interaction among Nigerians, promote respect for the rule of law, and ensure citizens know their rights and civic responsibilities — such as voting to elect future leaders not based on materialism but based on integrity and competence,” Gamawa stated.
He added that understanding and exercising one’s franchise, especially during elections, must go hand in hand with being law-abiding and fully aware of civil responsibilities.
As part of its mission, Airlin is currently targeting 19 states in Northern Nigeria, with Jos becoming the 15th state to be commissioned.
The ceremony also featured the appointment of state and local government coordinators who will help drive the organization’s grassroots advocacy efforts.
With a current membership base of 2.1 million Nigerians aged 18 and above, Airlin projects a significant growth trajectory, aiming to reach 7 million members before the next general elections.
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