By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
FORMAL HONOURS at Windsor Castle marked the start of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom (UK), the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that President Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, received a 42-gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery during the welcome at the Quadrangle in Windsor Castle. King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted the Nigerian president and first lady at the royal residence at the start of the two-day visit.
Earlier, Prince William and Princess Catherine met the Nigerian first family at the Fairmont Hotel and accompanied them to Windsor Castle, where they were presented to the King and Queen.
The programme includes exchanges of gifts and displays of items related to Nigeria held in the Royal Collection.
A state banquet is scheduled to take place in St George’s Hall, where King Charles and Tinubu are expected to deliver speeches. Political leaders and celebrities with links to Nigeria are expected to attend.
The president and his wife are also expected to lay a wreath at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel and meet organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue.
On Thursday, Tinubu is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of the Nigerian community abroad, according to the official schedule. King Charles hosted members of the Nigerian diaspora at St James’s Palace last week.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that the visit comes as Britain and Nigeria are set to discuss security, trade and governance issues. There will be no traditional lunch with the King at Windsor.
Meanwhile on Monday, suspected terrorists detonated bombs at a main market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the Post Office flyover. The Borno State Police Command confirmed 23 deaths and 108 injuries.
President Tinubu mourned those who died and directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri.
