By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Tinubu touched down in Abuja on Saturday, marking the end of a high-stakes diplomatic mission in Rome where he participated in counterterrorism discussions.
It was gathered that Tinubu’s aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where he was received by top government officials, including Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Saturday by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the President’s trip to Rome reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global security partnerships.
The statement reads in part: “President Bola Tinubu returns to Abuja today after participating in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-level Meeting in Rome, Italy.
“The Aqaba Process is a counter-terrorism initiative launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2015 and co-chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Government of Italy.
“The Rome edition of the meeting focused on strengthening regional and international collaboration in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, with particular attention to West Africa.
“The high-level session took place on Wednesday, October 15, at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome, and drew participation from several global leaders including King Abdullah II of Jordan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Presidents of Nigeria, Chad, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
“Other dignitaries in attendance included Azouz Nasri, President of Algeria’s Upper House, as well as delegations from Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Senegal, and Uzbekistan, alongside special envoys and security experts.
On the sidelines of the summit, Tinubu held bilateral meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald Trump’s Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, where security and economic cooperation reportedly topped discussions.
He also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, in a session that highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to religious tolerance and unity.
“President Tinubu also met with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to discuss religious harmony in Nigeria.
“The meeting addressed the widespread disinformation campaigns that falsely portray the country as intolerant of religious diversity,” the release stated.
