By Gideon Maxwell
October 21, 2024
President Bola Tinubu has officially resumed his duties at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following a two-week working vacation in Europe.
President Tinubu departed Abuja on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, for a two-week working vacation, which was part of his annual leave.
During his time abroad, he spent most of his days in the United Kingdom, where he engaged in various official and personal activities.
In addition to his stay in the UK, he also made a brief trip to Paris, France, on October 11 for an important engagement.
Tinubu returned to Abuja on Saturday, October 19, 2024, arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 7:20 PM.
He was received by senior members of his administration, including the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and several ministers.
The warm reception underscored the importance of the President’s return to duty.
On Monday, October 21, 2024, President Tinubu resumed his official duties at the Presidential Villa.
This was announced by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that the President was back and ready to tackle the pressing issues facing the nation.
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Upon resuming his duties, President Tinubu’s first meeting was with the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji.
During this meeting, Adedeji briefed the President on various matters related to the FIRS, including the current state of tax collection, ongoing reforms, and strategies to enhance revenue generation for the federal government.
The meeting with the FIRS Chairman is significant given the current economic landscape and the need for robust revenue generation to support the government’s budgetary plans.
The 2025 appropriation bill is expected to be presented soon, and the President’s engagement with key revenue-generating agencies like the FIRS is crucial in ensuring that the government meets its fiscal targets.
The President’s return comes amid concerns over delays in the presentation of the 2025 appropriation bill and the need to adhere to the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which requires the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework to be presented to the National Assembly at least three months before the annual budget is submitted.
With his return, there is an expectation that these processes will be expedited to ensure timely passage of the budget.
Overall, President Tinubu’s resumption of duties marks a significant step towards addressing the various challenges and opportunities facing Nigeria, and his immediate engagement with key stakeholders like the FIRS Chairman sets the tone for a productive and focused period ahead.
