Amid speculations over President Bola Tinubu’s health conditions following his foreign trip, businessman mogul, Femi Otedola, has shared a photograph of himself having dinner with the country’s leader in Paris, France, to correct public perceptions on Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad.
Otedola posted the photograph with a message expressing support for Tinubu’s economic policies and programs despite the criticism from opposition leaders over the administration’s leadership style since assuming office in 2023.
Attached to the photograph shared on Monday through his official social media handle, he stressed that the President’s reforms had placed the economy on “a path of sustainable growth.”
According to him, at a private dinner in Paris this evening with His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu.
Otedola cited what he described as gains in the Nigerian economy, including the inclusion of Nigerian companies on the FTSE Russell Frontier 50 Index, record levels on the Nigerian Exchange, increased foreign direct investment and greater stability in the foreign exchange market.
He also said Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at about $55 billion, before adding: “I remain proud of you, Mr. President!”
The photograph emerged as the Presidency moved to dismiss speculation about Tinubu’s health following his extended stay in France after earlier announcement of early return to the country.
Before the picture, Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, had insisted that the President was “hale and hearty”, but his claim was dispelled by the opposition leadership who claimed that Tinubu’s continuous stay abroad was to cover up his tracks.
Onanuga described his stay abroad as a working vacation and maintained that Tinubu had continued to perform his official duties from France without any hindrance.
It would be recalled that Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week working vacation in Europe and subsequently travelled from London to Paris.
His return plans were later adjusted, with the Presidency saying he would return to Nigeria during the week.
While in Paris, Tinubu has continued to hold official engagements. The State House earlier confirmed that French President Emmanuel Macron hosted him to a private dinner at the Élysée Palace, where the two leaders discussed strengthening Nigeria-France relations.
The latest photograph from Otedola offers another public glimpse of the President in Paris, while the businessman used the occasion to highlight the administration’s economic policies and express his support for Tinubu.