Some Leaders Take Their Children On State Visits To Educate Them –Presidential Aide Defends Tinubu Over Sons’ Inclusion In Delegation To Qatar

Otega Ogra, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital/New Media, has defended the President’s inclusion of his sons, Seyi and Yinka, among the delegation going with him to Qatar for a business and investment meeting.

Ogra said that some leaders of the world take their children on state visits to educate them about world affairs and different cultures, and to maintain a semblance of family life, despite the demands of public office.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that President Tinubu’s sons – Seyi and Yinka – were among the delegation to travel with the President on a state visit to Doha, Qatar.

Tinubu will visit Qatar on a state visit scheduled for March 2 and 3, 2024 but will be accompanied by 38 others including his sons. The delegation was split into two batches.

The first batch of 16 people to arrive on February 28, 2024, includes Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.

The second delegation made up of 22 people to arrive on February 29, 2024, includes Seyi Tinubu, Yinka Tinubu, PPS, Hakeem Muti-Okunola, SCOP, Ambassador Victor Adekunle Adeleke, PP, Dr. Ade Tinubu, and SSAP (Household), Subair Oluwatoyin.

The trip comes amid a nationwide protest against hardship, hunger and high cost of living, among others in the country.

Meanwhile, Tinubu had promised to cut the cost of governance but many Nigerians have accused the government of only paying lip service to it and not fully committed to going ahead with it.

But SaharaReporters learnt Seyi and his brother, Yinka have accompanied Tinubu on virtually every foreign trip.

SaharaReporters on Saturday reported that the Minister of Finance, Wale Edu, in an interview with Channels TV stated that approximately only 5% of people in Nigeria have more than N500,000 in their bank accounts.

Edun added that the Nigerian government’s reforms were to rectify the economic imbalances that disproportionately favoured a small group of elites in the last eight years over the majority of citizens.

Defending Tinubu’s inclusion of his sons in the list of people to join the President on his state visit to Doha, Qatar, Ogra in a post on his X handle on Tuesday said, “It is not uncommon for children of world leaders to accompany their parents on foreign trips.

“In fact, it is the norm. Canadian PM Trudeau is known to travel with his family on official trips abroad. Same with UK PMs – even if somewhat muted.

“From the public image and diplomacy angle, bringing family members can soften a leader’s public image and aid in diplomatic relations by showcasing a relatable, family-oriented side.

“For some leaders, taking their children on such trips is a way of educating them about world affairs and different cultures. Others do it to maintain some semblance of family life, despite the demands of public office, and for security considerations.

“The Obamas, Clintons, Bushs, Trumps and others went on tons of foreign trips whilst in office with their families.

“We really need to stop majoring in minors in the name of castigating everything.” (SaharaReporters)