President Tinubu returns from Rome security summit, reaffirms Nigeria’s anti-terror commitment

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja following his participation in a high-level international security summit in Rome, Italy.

The Aqaba Process meeting, held on October 15, convened world leaders to strengthen global cooperation in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

The President’s attendance, which began with his departure from Nigeria on October 12, underscores his administration’s dedication to international security partnerships.

According to a statement from Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, the trip highlighted Nigeria’s focus on collective security and peacebuilding efforts.

Co-chaired by Jordan and Italy, this year’s summit placed a specific emphasis on addressing emerging security threats in West Africa, a region increasingly impacted by insurgent groups and transnational crime.

The closed-door nature of the meeting reflected the sensitive security and intelligence discussions that took place.

The gathering brought together a host of global figures, including King Abdullah II of Jordan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Presidents of Chad, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

On the sidelines of the main event, President Tinubu engaged in several key bilateral meetings.

He discussed security, migration, and trade with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

He also met with Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to former U.S. President Donald Trump, to explore private sector investment opportunities.

In a separate meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, the President addressed issues of religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue.

The discussions focused on countering disinformation that inaccurately portrays Nigeria as religiously intolerant, with President Tinubu reaffirming the nation’s commitment to unity and peaceful coexistence among its diverse population.

The Presidency stated that Nigeria’s involvement in the Aqaba Process aligns with President Tinubu’s security diplomacy, which aims to ensure regional stability by tackling the root causes of extremism, such as poverty and social injustice.

The administration pledged to continue partnering with global and regional actors to combat terrorism and promote peace across Africa.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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