Türkiye's first lady, Emine Erdoğan, arrived in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, on Wednesday to attend the "Awareness and Support Program for Cancer Control in Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member African Countries" as the guest of honor at Thursday's session.
Erdoğan was welcomed at Abuja Airport by Nigeria's Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, along with Türkiye's ambassador to Abuja, Hidayet Bayraktar, and his spouse.
Following her arrival, Erdoğan met with Nigeria's first lady, Remi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in Abuja.
According to available information, during the private meeting, Tinubu expressed her pleasure at Erdoğan's visit to Abuja as the guest of honor for the program. She shared her belief that Erdoğan's participation would enhance the visibility and effectiveness of the program. Tinubu also briefed Erdoğan about the Organization of African First Ladies for Development, which held an event yesterday.
Tinubu also mentioned that her recent visit to Türkiye was highly productive and thanked Erdoğan for her hospitality.
Erdoğan visited the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) in Abuja. She was greeted by the Institute's Director Musa Erbaş, president of the Nigerian Women Artists Association, Maryam Maigida and African children. Erdoğan opened the Nigerian Women Artists Association Exhibition.
Joined by Health Minister Fahrettin Koca and local children, Erdoğan cut the ribbon to open the exhibition, where she viewed 12 artworks by female painters and received information about the pieces.
Afterward, Erdoğan met with Nigerian children learning Turkish at the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE). The children performed a flute recital, including the piece "Katibim," and recited all 10 verses of the Turkish National Anthem, the Istiklal Marşı. Erdoğan engaged in conversation with the children and took photos with them.
The "Awareness and Support Program for Cancer Control in OIC Member African Countries" is a continuation of an event initially held in 2016 in Istanbul under Erdoğan's leadership. At the opening session, she will address the participants as the guest of honor.
Erdoğan shared on social media that she met with Nigeria's first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in Abuja. In her post, Erdoğan mentioned:
"It is pleasing that the 'Awareness and Support Program for Cancer Control in OIC Member African Countries,' which we first held in 2016 in Istanbul during the 13th Islamic Summit, is being hosted by Nigeria this year."
"I wholeheartedly thank Mrs. Tinubu for leading such an important issue for both her country's health and global health in Africa. I hope the summit's outcomes will be beneficial and believe that awareness will increase with strength and unity."
During her visit to Abuja, Erdoğan had a meeting with Fatima Maada Bio, the wife of Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio. This meeting was part of the program and was held privately, without press access.
During their discussion, Bio mentioned that they were inspired by Erdoğan to build a hospital in Nigeria and named its women's health department after her. This underscores their support for African countries to become self-reliant, with Bio highlighting Erdoğan as the sole "first lady" who serves as an inspiration to all African leader spouses.
The Turkish first lady later shared on social media about the meeting. Expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate under the Cancer Awareness and Support Program, she emphasized their mutual agreement on the critical need for collaboration in combating cancer and their shared commitment to creating healthier and more resilient societies.
