The Presidency has dismissed speculation surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health while he is on a working vacation in Paris, France.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement issued on Sunday that Tinubu is “hale and hearty” and has continued to carry out official responsibilities while away from Nigeria.

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Onanuga said the President’s absence from Abuja should not be interpreted as an inability to work, stressing that Tinubu has been on a working vacation and does not need to be physically present in the Federal Capital Territory to perform his duties. He added that the President had been meeting investors in France, including discussions linked to a proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside.

The Presidency also responded to questions over Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, noting that other African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, were also not present at the gathering.

According to Onanuga, Tinubu had announced his annual vacation and delegated representation at the UN General Assembly to Vice President Kashim Shettima. He said the President is expected to return to Nigeria this week to participate in activities marking the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, including an event in Lagos connected to a film commemorating the late MKO Abiola.