Tinubu returns to Lagos from London, says Nigeria’s problems surmountable 

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday returned to Nigeria after his first official trip abroad to Paris and London.

His plane touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos around 5:10pm on Tuesday.

He was received at the presidential wing of MMIA by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state; Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president; Kayode Egbetokun, acting inspector-general of police; and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, among others.

Before proceeding to London, Tinubu was first in Paris, where he attended the new global financial pact summit.

The two-day summit, organised by French President Emmanuel Macron, was convened to explore opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges.

Tinubu is scheduled to join the Muslim faithful for the Eid prayers on Wednesday at the Obalende prayer ground.

The President acknowledged the nation’s challenges were daunting but not unsurmountable.

This is contained in his Eid-ul-Kabir message to the nation.

He assured Nigerians that he is “working day and night” to proffer solutions to those.

He said as Nigerians “embrace the present challenges, we must face the future with vigour and Renewed Hope with the confidence that our tomorrow shall be better and brighter”.

The President said the decisions taken so far by his administration would “reform our economy and remove all impediments to growth”.

The Sallah message

The message read, “I join Muslims in Nigeria and all over the world in observance of Eid-el-Kabir. We must thank Almighty Allah for the grace to witness another Eid.

“As we immerse ourselves in the joy of this moment and celebrate, let us remember those who may not be as fortunate like us.

“Coming as the end of religious activities spanning the first 10 days of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Eid-el-Kabir enjoins us as Muslims to show mercy and compassion to our fellow humans.

“Eid-el-Kabir is a festival of sacrifice and total obedience to Allah as exemplified in the exceptional action of Prophet Ibrahim.

“There is no greater sense of duty ever recorded in history outside the ennobling example of Prophet Ibrahim in offering his only son Ismail as sacrifice to Allah.

“The best way by which we can demonstrate this example is in how we conduct ourselves in relation to our fellow citizens and in our duties to our beloved country.

“We must imbibe and manifest those values inherent in Prophet Ibrahim’s life, namely; complete devotion to Allah, tolerance, patience, perseverance, selflessness, love and compassion.

“This season, let us endeavour to multiply good deeds with our kindness to our fellow Muslims and others by helping and supporting the weak and vulnerable in our communities. By so doing, we showcase the values and virtues of our faith.

“At the moment, our country is going through some challenges especially with our struggling economy and simmering security challenges.

“While I acknowledge all of these, I want to assure you that they are not insurmountable. I am working day and night with my team, fleshing out solutions. We have started with the decisions taken so far, to reform our economy and remove all impediments to growth.”