Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, United States President Joe Biden and some 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries will attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday in a gathering of world leaders not seen for decades.
Elizabeth II, named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (April 21, 1926 – 8 September 8, 2022), was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from February 6, 1952, until her death. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during her lifetime and 15 at the time of her death.
Her reign of 70 years and 214 days is the longest of any British monarch, the longest recorded of any female head of state in history, and the second-longest verified reign of any sovereign in history.
Osinbajo, Biden as well as the prime ministers of Canada, Justin Trudeau; Australia, Anthony Albanese and New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, are already in the UK ahead of the funeral.
Other Commonwealth leaders expected to attend include Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. India will be represented by President Droupadi Murmu.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella are among the other world leaders expected to attend.
Members of royal families from across Europe will also be present.
But, Osinbajo on Sunday, described the late British Monarch, as “a monarch for all seasons who brought people together from all over the world”.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, Prof. Osinbajo stated this in a short tribute at the Lancaster House.
The Vice President also joined other world leaders yesterday to pay their last respect to the late British monarch at the Queen’s lying in state at different times.
World leaders who visited the Westminster Hall to witness the lying in state alongside the VP included the Trudeau; Biden and Macron, among other royals and Heads of State and Government across the world.
In the condolence register at Lancaster House, the Vice President noted: “Nigeria joins the government and people of the UK, the Commonwealth and rest of the world in expressing our sincere condolence to the royal family on the passing of a monarch for all seasons. May the Lord bless her memory.”
Later at a bilateral meeting between Osinbajo and the UK Foreign Secretary, they discussed how to improve trade ties between both countries especially expanding opportunities for Nigerian businesses and supporting the country’s climate objectives.
They also discussed the imperative of strengthening international coalition to tackle insecurity in the Sahel and the horn of Africa region.
The UK Foreign Secretary welcomed Nigeria’s participation in the funeral programme for Queen Elizabeth ll, expressing gratitude for Nigeria’s solidarity and friendship with the UK on the mourning of the monarch, and also celebration of the life and times of the late Queen.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
