President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron showcased their camaraderie by exchanging greetings in Pidgin, a language widely spoken in Nigeria, during Tinubu’s state visit to France.
Macron, recalling his early career experiences in Lagos, Nigeria, took to X to express his delight at welcoming Tinubu. “Na big honor for France, dear President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT, to welcome you for dis State visit as one big partner and friend of today and tomorrow,” Macron wrote.
He reminisced about his time as an intern at the French Embassy in Lagos, saying, “E still dey sweet me well well as I remember say I be young intern for French Embassy for Nigeria that time.”
In response, Tinubu expressed appreciation for the warm reception and stressed the importance of fortifying ties between the two nations. “Merci beaucoup, President Macron @EmmanuelMacron. Na big privilege to dey strengthen dis bond wey join Nigeria and France together,” Tinubu replied.
He continued, “E sweet me well well to hear say di memories of your time as young intern for Nigeria still dey inspire you. E show say di connection between our two countries strong and go continue dey strong. We must to continue dey build dis our partnership wey stand for mutual respect and equality, wey go help di dreams of our people today and create better future for tomorrow. Thanks for di warm welcome and fruitful meetings, my padi!”
Tinubu’s visit to France began on Wednesday and is expected to span three days. According to his office, the trip aims to strengthen political, economic, and cultural relations while fostering partnerships in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, employment, innovation, and energy transition.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Tinubu’s team highlighted the anticipated benefits of the visit. “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria,” the statement read.
