Ẹ káàbọ̀ şé dáadáa’ — King Charles greets Tinubu, Nigerian delegation

Published

13 hours ago

March 19, 2026

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King Charles sets aside royal protocol on Wednesday and welcomed President Bola Tinubu and his delegation in Yoruba during a state banquet held at St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle.

Tinubu, accompanied by Oluremi, his wife, and other Nigerian officials, is in the United Kingdom (UK) for a two-day state visit that began Wednesday.

“Ẹ káàbọ̀, şé dáadáa ni,” King Charles said to the 160 guests in Yoruba, which translates to “Welcome, how are you doing?”

Tinubu responded with a hearty laugh, returning the king’s gesture.

Earlier, the usual lunch hosted by the king on such state visits did not take place in recognition of the ongoing Muslim Ramadan fast which Tinubu is partaking in.

Wednesday’s dinner featured the popular Nigerian Zobo drink made from hibiscus leaves as an option on the menu.

There were also alcoholic drinks available for guests, including fine red and white wines, port and whisky.

Nigerian sports stars, including Maro Itoje, England rugby union captain; Christine Ohuruogu, Olympic athlete; and Ben Okri, a poet, attended the feast.

The senior British royals, including Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales, were also at the dinner.

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservatives, was also in attendance.

In his speech, King Charles saluted the “living bridge” of the Nigerian community in the UK, calling them “quiet heroes” at “the heart of British life”.

Tinubu had described the diaspora group as “the strongest bridge” between both countries during his address.

The king also spoke of the importance of religious tolerance, in which “people of different faiths can, do, and must live alongside one another in peace”.

He said it is important that Nigeria and the UK stand together in difficult times “when rain clouds gather”.

The British monarch also addressed the “painful marks” of colonialism.

“I do not seek to offer words that dissolve the past, for no words can,” he said, while expressing hope for a more optimistic future “worthy of those who bore the pains of the past”.

This is the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years, while the banquet was also the first during Ramadan hosting a Muslim president in nearly a century.

The last similar event was in 1928, when King George V hosted Afghanistan’s King Amanullah Khan.

When Tinubu and Oluremi arrived at Windsor Castle, they were met with pomp and ceremony, receiving a 42-gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Official gifts were also exchanged. The president and his wife were given hand-crafted pottery, a silver photo frame containing a picture of the king and queen, and a silver and enamel bowl.

In return, Charles and Camilla were given a traditional Yoruba statuette and a jewellery box featuring the faces of important Nigerian women.

Related Topics:King charles Tinubu Tinubu UK state visit

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First Lady Oluremi Tinubu addresses religious leaders at Lambeth Palace

Published

3 hours ago

March 19, 2026

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The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday addressed a gathering at Lambeth Palace in central London.

Lambeth Palace is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Mrs. Tinubu interacted with religious leaders.

She also met representatives of the Church of England, including Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover, and Bishop Emma Ineson, acting Bishop of London.

The First Lady and President Tinubu met King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday, as part of activities lined up for the President’s two-day state visit.

They were received by the heir to the throne, Prince William, and his wife, Catherine, who travelled with them to Windsor on the same day.

King Charles also hosted a state banquet at Windsor in the evening in honour of the President and his wife.

Tinubu has visited Britain several times in his tenure, and the two countries remain major partners in trade, aid, and defense. London is also home to a massive Nigerian diaspora.

Tinubu meets UK PM Keir Starmer

Published

7 hours ago

March 19, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu has met Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom.

The two leaders met on the steps of 10 Downing Street in central London on Thursday.

The president’s historic state visit to the UK is the first state visit by a Nigerian president in 37 years (since the last one before the return to democracy in 1999).

Tinubu arrived in the UK on Tuesday, where he was received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.

The visit included royal engagements, a state banquet, and discussions on various bilateral issues. It involved closed-door bilateral talks.

The president is expected to sign a £746 million financing deal related to port infrastructure, along with other agreements/MoUs on trade, defence, and culture.

Today also marks the final day of the visit, after a farewell from the royal family.

EFCC hands over N3.93bn recovered from ‘certain individuals’ in oil firm to NNPC

Published

8 hours ago

March 19, 2026

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over a total sum of N3.93 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

In a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s head, media & publicity on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency said the presentation was made on behalf of Ola Olukoyede, executive chairman of the commission, by Mohammed Hammajoda, secretary to the commission, in a ceremony at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC, on Thursday, March 18, 2026 handed over a total sum of N3,936,145, 822 ( Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty Six Million, One Hundred and Forty Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Two Naira) to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, NNPC Ltd,” the statement reads.

In his remarks at the event, Hammajoda reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to combating economic and financial crimes.

He emphasised that the funds were recovered through thorough investigations and the professional exposure of fraudulent activities involving certain individuals within the NNPC.

“On behalf of the Executive Chairman, we will continue to put ourselves on the line to serve over 220 million Nigerians,” Hammajoda said.

“Along the line, many of our colleagues have paid the price and others will still pay the price as we continue to do our work with courage and integrity.

“We will serve and continue to serve this country. So, on behalf of the EFCC, I present the sum of Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty Six million, One Hundred and Forty Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Two Naira to you.”

Receiving the funds on behalf of NNPC, Mumuni Dagazau, executive vice-president, downstream, thanked the commission for its support in the recovery “which goes to show the core unity that exists in our system”.

“NNPC over the years has had its struggles and challenges and one thing we have always tried to do is correct the system. When the opportunity came for this recovery from your people that handled this, it was something I was really proud of,” Dagazau said.

“I was also happy that we brought it to EFCC to help and support us.”

The executive vice-president expressed enthusiasm, noting that it was a significant day for all, and affirmed that the NNPC would continue to depend on the EFCC for support, emphasising that this represents a genuine commitment going forward.