President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after attending the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He arrived at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The President was welcomed by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, along with ministers, top security officials, and other dignitaries.
The summit, hosted by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, addressed critical issues in the Middle East. During his speech at the event, President Tinubu called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, advocating for a peaceful resolution and emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to diplomatic solutions.
President Tinubu urged parties involved in the Middle East conflict to uphold the principles of proportionality and protect the fundamental rights of civilians, in line with international legal and diplomatic standards. He remarked on the profound impact of the conflict, describing its effects as “so visceral that the ripples of division spread far and quickly.”
Tinubu praised King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for hosting the summit, highlighting it as a crucial platform for renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in the region. He assured the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that Nigeria, drawing from its own experiences, would continue to back international initiatives promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
The President was joined by several key officials, including Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Nuhu Ribadu (National Security Adviser), Mohammed Idris (Minister of Information and National Orientation), and Mohammed Mohammed (Director General of the National Intelligence Agency).
