Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo says the late Queen Elizabeth II was a monarch for all seasons who brought people together from all over the world.
He stated this in a short tribute at the Lancaster House, the St James’s district in the West End of Londono on Sunday, September 18, 2022.
The Vice President also joined other world leaders to pay their last respect to the late British monarch at the Queen’s lying in state at on Sunday.
World leaders who visited Westminster Hall to witness the lying in state alongside the Vice President included the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau; U.S. President Joe Biden and French President, Emmanuel Macron, among other royals and Heads of State and governments across the globe.
In the condolence register at Lancaster House, the Vice President noted that “Nigeria joins the government and people of the UK, the Commonwealth and rest of the world in expressing our sincere condolence to the royal family on the passing of a monarch for all seasons. May the Lord bless her memory.”
Later at a bilateral meeting between Prof. Osinbajo and the UK Foreign Secretary, they discussed how to improve trade ties between both countries especially expanding opportunities for Nigerian businesses and supporting the country’s climate objectives.
They also discussed the imperative of strengthening international coalition to tackle insecurity in the Sahel and the horn of Africa region.
The UK Foreign Secretary welcomed Nigeria’s participation in the funeral programme for Queen Elizabeth II, expressing gratitude for Nigeria’s solidarity and friendship with the UK during the mourning of the monarch, and also celebrating the life and times of the late Queen.
By Sunday evening, and at Press Time, King Charles III hosted the Vice President and other visiting world leaders at a reception at Buckingham Palace as part of activities for the State Funeral of the British monarch.
On Monday morning, the Vice President will also attend the Funeral Service for the Queen at Westminster Abbey.
The late Queen was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926.
She came to the throne in 1952 and reigned for 70 years, becoming the longest reigning monarch in modern times.
The Queen died in Balmoral aged 96 on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
PIAK
