Queen Elizabeth’s visits to Nigeria were always beautiful occasions — Tinubu

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress Bola Tinubu on Thursday expressed sorrow over the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

The longest-reigning British monarch died at Balmoral, Scotland at the age of 96.

In a statement, Tinubu recalled her visits to Nigeria in 1956 and 2003, noting that they were always “beautiful occasions”.

“With the sad passing, today, of Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom has lost one of its greatest ever monarchs and the world has lost a much cherished, revered and admired Icon,” said Tinubu.

“Her Energy, dedication, deep sense of duty and firm belief in the glory of the United Kingdom, particularly in the most troubling and troubled times of her long and distinguished reign, are the lasting legacies for which she shall always be remembered.

“As the first British monarch to reach seven decades on the throne, her patriotic role birthed and sustained warm and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

“Her visits to these shores were always beautiful occasions and the respect and esteem with which she was always held by the Nigerian people helped to maintain the strong bond of friendship that subsists between our two nations.”

Tinubu added that his “family’s thoughts and prayers are with the new King, Charles III, the entire Royal Family and all commonwealth nations at this time of mourning and sadness. May she rest in eternal peace.”