Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), says Turkish officials were “shocked” to learn that President Bola Tinubu’s stumble during an official event in Ankara became a major issue in Nigerian media.
Tinubu stumbled on Tuesday during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, as he walked alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Officials quickly stepped in to assist the Nigerian leader and help him regain his balance.
After the band performed both national anthems, there was a brief moment when the Turkish president used his hands to gently adjust Tinubu’s position so he could properly face the band.
The incident went on to dominate headlines across Nigerian newspapers, blogs and social media platforms.
In a post on Wednesday, Dabiri-Erewa, who was also in Ankara, said Turkish officials were surprised that the moment had generated such attention back home.
“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.
The stumble, however, was also reported in Turkey. Anadolu Ajansı (AA), the state-run news agency, covered the incident, as did several local outlets.
“Nigerian President Tinubu fell at the welcoming ceremony at the Presidency,” read a headline by Cumhuriyet, an independent Turkish newspaper. The incident was also reported by Nefes and Yeniçağ.
