Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated King Charles III of the United Kingdom on his coronation.
In a congratulatory message to the newly crowned king, the incoming Nigerian leader said he looked forward to engaging on different issues in the future with King Charles III , especially on how to strengthen the relationship between the UK and Nigeria.
The president-elect expressed optimism that King Charles will follow in the glorious footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II and even surpass her achievements in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“It is heartwarming that your accession to the throne is coming after the 70-year reign of your iconic mother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose death last September left the entire world in grief, given her eventful reign,” he said.
“Bearing your unique place in history as the first King to be inaugurated in Britain since 1937, I trust that you will follow in the glorious footsteps of your late mother and even surpass her achievements in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“Particularly remarkable about you is your love for the environment, importantly your lifelong crusade for sustainability and biodiversity.
“I hope that you will continue to push for these initiatives with kind eyes on the situation and plight of the underprivileged people in Africa and around the world.
“As the president-elect of the federal republic of Nigeria, I also hope that during your reign, the excellent bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Britain will continue and even become stronger in the interests of our two countries.
“I look forward to further engagements with you and the opportunity of a meeting in the near future as both of us had earlier indicated in discussions with mutual friends and associates.
“Once again, I rejoice with you on your coronation and pray that God Almighty grant you strength and wisdom and make your reign successful for the benefit of not only the people of Great Britain but for the entire world.”
King Charles III is the first to be inaugurated since 1937, and he is taking over the reign after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, his mother, in September 2022.
The coronation took place on Saturday at London’s Westminster Abbey.
“I come not to be served, but to serve,” the King said in his first prayer after reaching the abbey.
Charles was proclaimed as the “undoubted King” in the first stage of the ceremony. The congregation was then asked to show their homage and service, shouting “God Save the King”.
In all, 90 heads of state attended, including Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of the Commonwealth countries, according to the UK Foreign Office.