President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.
The President, who arrived on Thursday night, was received at the airport by Ethiopian Deputy Chief of Protocol Eshetu Legesse, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and the charge d’affaires of the Nigerian embassy in Ethiopia, Ambassador Nasir Aminu.
Ambassador Tuggar briefed President Tinubu on the summit and Nigeria’s recent diplomatic achievements in a session that lasted until about 2 a.m. on Friday.
Among the notable wins was the re-election of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.
Nigeria also retained its seat on the African Union Peace and Security Council, reaffirming the country’s leadership and dedication to peace on the continent.
The briefing was attended by several ministers, including Wale Edun (Finance), Abubakar Badaru (Defence), Jumoke Oduwole (Trade and Investment), Festus Keyamo (Aviation), Muhammed Idris (Information and National Orientation), Balarabe Abbas Lawal (Environment), and Doris Uzoka-Anite (State for Finance).
Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, were also present.
The AU summit, themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” will address issues of reparatory justice and racial healing.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a speech at a Summit-level meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council, focusing on security challenges, including the escalation of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The President will also participate in discussions on health financing, the establishment of an African Credit Rating Agency, and climate change.
He is expected to return to Abuja on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Bello Wakili.
