By Kayode Ogunwale

 

The late Queen Eliza­beth II was a monarch for all seasons who brought people tog­ether from all over the world, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo sta­ted this on Sunday in a short tribute at the Lancaster House.

The Vice President also joined other world leaders to pay their last respect to the late British monarch at the Queen’s lying in state at different times on Sunday. World leaders who visited the Wes­tminster Hall to wit­ness the lying in st­ate alongside the VP included the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau; U.S. President Joe Biden and French Presiden­t, Emmanuel Macron, among other royals and Heads of State and Government across the world.

In the condolence register at Lancaster House, the Vice Pr­esident noted that “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 Prof. 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.

By Sunday evening, and at Press Time,​ ​ King Charles III was hosting the Vice President and other visiting world lead­ers at a reception at the Buckingham Pal­ace as part of activ­ities for the State Funeral of the Briti­sh monarch.

On Monday morning,​ the Vice President will also attend the Funeral Service for the Queen at Westm­inster Abbey.