Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has said Turkish officials expressed surprise that President Bola Tinubu’s brief stumble during an official ceremony in Ankara became a major topic in Nigerian media.
President Tinubu stumbled on Tuesday during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, while walking alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Officials immediately moved in to assist the Nigerian leader and help him regain his balance.
Following the rendition of both national anthems, President Erdogan was also seen using his hands to adjust Tinubu’s position so he could properly face the band.
The incident quickly generated widespread attention, featuring prominently across newspapers, blogs and social media platforms in Nigeria.
Reacting in a post on X on Wednesday, Dabiri-Erewa, who was part of the Nigerian delegation in Ankara, said Turkish officials were “shocked to learn that it was an issue in Nigerian media / blogs”.
“One of them described it as ‘silly and mischievous’, and reiterated how their country was excited about the incredible success of the visit by @officialABAT which is all over their media here,” she wrote.
However, Tinubu’s stumble also received coverage in Turkey, including reports by Anadolu Ajansı (AA), the state-run news agency that operates in a manner similar to a wire service.
“Nigerian President Tinubu fell at the welcoming ceremony at the Presidency,” Cumhuriyet, an independent Turkish newspaper, wrote in its headline.
The incident was also reported by Nefes and Yeniçağ, both Turkish media outlets.
(The CABLE)
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