- Safiu Kehinde
The Presidency has reacted to a post by a Nigerian entrepreneur identified as Idris Bello who exposed the country’s unmanned stand at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan.
NPO Reported that the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, had last week departed Abuja ahead of the 3-day conference as well as a visit to Brazil.
While Tinubu was in attendance at the conference which kicked off today, a notable absence of Nigeria was captured by Bello at the conference venue’s exhibition centre where countries participating in the conference had their stands.
Unlike other countries who had their wares displayed with representatives attending to the conference participants, Nigeria’s stand as captured by Bello in a post on his X handle was vacant.
While expressing his disappointment with the development, the entrepreneur disclosed having to represent the Nigeria’s Honourary Consul at the stand as he approached by several Japanese on account of his dress.
“I hate to show negative things about Nigeria but it is sad that Nigeria is the only unmanned booth at TICAD9 in Japan. Upon all the folks who probably got estacode for coming to Japan
“Only God knows how many Japanese folks have asked me about the unmanned booth seeing my dressing.
“So ashamed I have now designated myself as Honorary Consul and taken over the booth to engage visitors.” He wrote.
Reacting to the post, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, claimed that the Nigerian booth is yet be unveiled which explained it being unmanned.
He assured that it will be fully operational from Thursday till the end of the conference.
“Contrary to claims circulating, the Nigerian booth at #TICAD9 is yet to be unveiled. The official opening is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025, after which it will be fully operational to welcome and serve TICAD delegates.” Olusegun wrote.
However, Bello, in a subsequent post, disclosed that being blamed for post the unmanned Nigeria’s stand.
“Now they are blaming me for posting. Make I Dey go home jeje. They say I have koba people.” He wrote.
Prior to the post, the entrepreneur shared pictures of him engaging in conversation with Some Japanese who approached him the booth with questions about different sectors in Nigeria before the eventual appearance of a Nigerian embassy official at the booth.
