The king paid tribute to the contribution of the people of Nigeria’s heritage when he hosted a state dinner for the country’s president.
President Bola Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu are in the UK for a two-day state visit.
the king He said Britain was “blessed” that many people of Nigerian heritage were “at the heart of British life by excelling in business, technology, academia, law, science, sport, literature and the arts and at the highest levels of public service”.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince Edward were guests. Image: PA
He said he had “met many of these quiet heroes in our schools, businesses, National Health Service and universities”.
“From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood gracing our screens, to the stars competing in our Premier League and judging our highest courts, much of Britain’s culture is, indeed, deeply enriched by Nigeria,” King said.
At the dinner, guests tucked into a menu that included quail egg tartlet, fillet of turbot, lobster mousse wrapped in spinach and iced blackcurrant souffle.
A mocktail called Crimson Bloom was also served, using the West African drink zobo and other ingredients.
This is the first visit by a Nigerian president in almost 40 years. Image: PA
President Tinubu is a Muslim, so he made his toast with a soft drink and the king wished him “Ramadan Mubarak” to mark the end of the Islamic holy month.
Alcohol was available at the banquet for those who wanted it.
The King visited for the last time Nigeria – a country of about 230 million people – in 2018.
He told guests at tonight’s dinner that the country had “arrived” and was “transforming at a remarkable pace”.
Image: Reuters
William and Kate helped welcome the Nigerian leader to the UK. Image: PA
Nigerian dignitaries were first welcomed to Windsor by the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
There was an impressive guard of honor and a carriage ride in the sun.
Image: PA
It was a wonderful spring day for the carriage ride and honor guard. Image: PA
Nigerian and Union flags graced the streets of the Berkshire town, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian head of state for 37 years.
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The King and his visitors then viewed items from the royal collection and met with organizations promoting dialogue between different faiths during a ceremony at The Vicars Hall.
Representatives from the Mosaic program set up by The King’s Trust charity were part of the gathering.
Visitors viewed exhibits from the royal collection. Image: Reuters
The project brings together Muslim men and women in positions of religious authority – across ethnic and theological differences – for a leadership program.
