This week, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Nigeria. His 2-day trip saw him meeting President Mohammadu Buhari in Abuja, meeting with 2000 entrepreneurs under the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a visit to the Afrikan Shrine and the opening of the Alliance Francaise headquarters in Ikoyi.
Suggested Read: African startups, President Macron is coming for you
Prior to his visit, the road leading to the Afrikan Shrine reportedly underwent a last minute facelift.
Few hours to the arrival of President Emmanuel Macron of France to Afrikan Shrine in Lagos, the government of the state just realized the road that leads to the pub is bad.
AdvertisementNigeria deserves a better government than this "make up artists."
RT if you agree. pic.twitter.com/mtDwNFDxQZ— Reactivate Nigeria (@ReactivateNGR) July 3, 2018
Some of Emmanuel Macron’s activities in Nigeria as seen on social media
#BREAKING: French President @EmmanuelMacron arrives Nigeria, received in Aso Rock at 4:36 p.m., and now in a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the state house, Abuja. He is to visit Fela's Africa Shrine in Lagos, tonight. #MacronAtNewAfricaShrine pic.twitter.com/qT2IdA5eN3
— ✍ Seyi Gesinde (@GhesheS) July 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheMbuhari/status/1014758669186224128
https://twitter.com/NaijaVirals/status/1014788906020233217?s=19
He came, he saw, he partied.
Check out @EmmanuelMacron on stage with @Femiakuti at the New Afrika Shrine during his two-day visit to Nigeria. Macron is the first president to visit the Afrobeats legend Fela's Shrine. https://t.co/u4uayrkRix pic.twitter.com/Whxe51JUgK— CNN Africa (@CNNAfrica) July 5, 2018
#ICYM today’s amazing session with HE President @EmmanuelMacron addressing 2000+ Tony Elumelu entrepreneurs and others in our network #macronatTEF #TOEWayhttps://t.co/XmWcd6Fhfd
— Tony O. Elumelu, CON (@TonyOElumelu) July 4, 2018
Your Nationality is not part of your ability to succeed. Except it’s in your mind. The President of France – Emmanuel Macron
CONNECT . INFORM . INSPIRE
Kindly re-share to inspire another Nigerian#InspireNigerians pic.twitter.com/ye06nUphku— Aderogba Otunla 🇳🇬 (@twitaderogba) July 4, 2018
11 years old Kassim Olamilekan drew President @EmmanuelMacron in 2 hours, during his visit to Nigeria, at the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos. #TosinadedaMedia pic.twitter.com/aEXTcB03Um
— tosinadeda.com (@TosinadedaMedia) July 5, 2018
Mike Adenuga receives “Commander of the Legion of Honour” from Macron
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, on Wednesday in Lagos conferred France’s highest national honour of Commander of the Legion of Honour on Globacom Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga, Jr. pic.twitter.com/MiUK3pA6dQ
— Glo Nigeria (@GloWorld) July 5, 2018
11-year-old Nigerian Artist, Kassim Olamilekan drew France's President Emmanuel Macron in 2 hours, while he was at the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos State. Macron was amazed with the portrait and said to him "I am touched." pic.twitter.com/rPglcj6qJp
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) July 5, 2018
Some of his tweets about Nigeria
Sports can educate and empower people. I am a firm believer in the impact sport can have on each life and the future of a country.
It’s time to invest in sports in Nigeria! pic.twitter.com/73BeHDR17O— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 4, 2018
60% of the Nigerian population is aged under 25. That’s 60% of the population which, like me, did not witness colonisation. We are the new generation. We are going to dispel prejudice by rebuilding a new future through culture. https://t.co/pnlycpB9oi
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 4, 2018
It's very emotional for me to come back to Nigeria 17 years after my stay. I didn't imagine I’d be back in these conditions. pic.twitter.com/HNlorCiwqA
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 3, 2018
Sports can educate and empower people. I am a firm believer in the impact sport can have on each life and the future of a country.
It’s time to invest in sports in Nigeria! pic.twitter.com/73BeHDR17O— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 4, 2018
A few reactions to his visit
Only if we and our leaders were perceptive.
Bill Gates came here, delivered a message.
Emmanuel Macron here, delivered a message.
If you read between the lines, you'd understand that Africa's relationship with the wider world is about change, for the worse.
— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) July 5, 2018
Emmanuel Macron did not come to Nigeria to visit the shrine.
Illegal immigration, not even terrorism is the top burner issue in Europe. It even threatens to unravel the European Union.
Nigeria is a major source of illegal immigrants. That is why he came here.
— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) July 4, 2018
So @EmmanuelMacron was an intern at the French Embassy in Nigeria 15 years ago? Wow! Never underestimate what you can achieve in 15 years. Unfortunately for Nigeria, the man who was our head of state when Macron was in primary one is also the man who received Macron as President!
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) July 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/FemiAbodunde/status/1015061980363796482?s=19
Quotes from his speeches
Mark Zuckerberg will never become Nigerian. And you live in Nigeria, Nigeria has to succeed. So please, just invent the new Mark Zuckerberg, being Nigerian, Senegalese, Malian etc. That's what Africa needs – @EmmanuelMacron #MacronAtTEF
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) July 4, 2018
“Investing in sports, especially in Africa, is the best way to a better life for young people”
– @EmmanuelMacron pic.twitter.com/Cdab2ftRVK
— BballNaija (@BballNaija) July 5, 2018
Nigeria is a huge market. If you have a good product and you're unable to sell it, I'm going to be very blunt here, but that is because of your politicians, your Government, and their economic policies. –@EmmanuelMacron#nigeria #economy #business #politics #lagos pic.twitter.com/Kb0bjE5Bhz
— Nejeeb Bello Oyarese (@NejeebBello) July 4, 2018
So someone said Zuckerberg wouldn't have been great if he was in Nigeria given the challenges we face. He asked for Macron's success advice!
Your nationality is not part of your ability to succeed! – Macron #MacronAtTEF
— Vincent Okeke (@St_Vin) July 4, 2018
Other reactions
President @EmmanuelMacron engaged over 2000 mostly young Nigerian entrepreneurs on issues ranging from Globalization, Populism, Entrepreneurship, Start Up Ecosysm, ECOWAS, Politics etc. One question kept ringing in my head, why don’t Nigerian Presidents do this? Hurts no one.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) July 5, 2018
If @EmmanuelMacron were to be a Nigerian, would he have been a President?
How come the same political class who are sabotaging the future of Nigerian youths were also at the forefront of his warm reception?
Nigeria is a great nation. #NotTooYoungToRun #BBCGlobalQuestions
— Ijatuyi Ayoleyi (@AyoleyiMD) July 5, 2018
If another president @EmmanuelMacron can leave his country to come and interact with the youth who are the next leaders of Nigeria, then it shows that really politicians only focus on the next election while real leaders focus on the next generation. Just a thought anyway
— Ralph Segun Dada (RSD) (@RSegundada) July 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/WaaleBlaze/status/1014874748902404096?s=19
https://twitter.com/Naijablogger/status/1014632505272668160?s=19
Read more here.
Youth Corper killed in Abuja
On Wednesday, Linda Igwetu, a corper under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was reportedly shot by an officer of the Nigerian Police.
According to reports, Linda and a few friends were returning from a party to celebrate the completion of their service year when their vehicle was shot at a police checkpoint in Abuja. Read all about it here.
This is Ms Linda Nkechi Igwetu, a NYSC Member serving in Abuja & due for P.O.P tomorrow.
She was shot dead by a police officer named Benjamin Peters.
The killings of innocent Nigerian youths by those whose job it is to protect them continues unabated.
Rt for the world to know pic.twitter.com/dmxUkdTQql
— Port Harcourt People (@AskPHPeople) July 4, 2018
A Corper that was supposed to pass out tomorrow was shot dead in Abuja today by the police @nysc_ng
My friend @Chinny3bs is her sister and her phone has been confiscated at the Federal Secreterait Police Station.
Please help.
Please @bukolasaraki— Yum™ (@gingerPOP_) July 4, 2018
Reactions
Scrap NYSC
Scrap NYSC! We’ve lost too many young people to this scheme . I wish we had the statistics 💔💔💔
— Kaylah (@KaylahOniwo) July 4, 2018
NYSC should be scrapped. It has lost its relevance.
— PEREZ (@__perez94) July 4, 2018
NYSC has over stayed it's welcome, it's time to scrap that nonsense.
— Mazi Olisaemeka C. ™ (@OlisaOsega) July 4, 2018
A reflection of Nigeria’s sad state
A serving youth corper passing out tomorrow shot dead by a policeman and no word from the NYSC body?
Human lives mean nothing in Nigeria.
It's not normal. This has to stop.
We don't need police anymore, they are the danger we seek protection from.— Paul Mogbolu (@paulmogbolu) July 4, 2018
How many people have died because they left the comfort of their state of residence to another state miles away because of Nysc? Youths who labored for degrees couldn't even use them because they live in a country so religious yet so lawless & unruly with no regard for life.
— Elon Mosque (@That_IjebuBadoo) July 4, 2018
There is a big problem in this country. Ask me why.
We wake up, lament & tweet about different problems everyday.
Fast forward to another year, the same problems still repeat themselves. How many times do innocent students need to be killed for them to review the NYSC scheme?
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) July 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/Rouvafe/status/1014614794421272576?s=19
Other reactions
https://twitter.com/kristy_Oscar/status/1014889688094658560?s=19
I AM NOT GOING TO DO NYSC IF SOMETHING ISNT DONE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF CORPERS! I AM SOMEBODYS CHILD, WE ARE ALL IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE AND ARE NEEDED ALIVE!
IF MY COUNTRY DOESNT PLACE ANY VALUE ON MY LIFE, WHY AM I SERVING IT?!! 🗣— Jemima (@JemimaOsunde) July 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/Ody_johnson/status/1014642654355902464?s=19
NYSC staff will use the case of that lady that was shot at 3am to advice corpers not to go out and party at night.
They'll ignore every other thing and say 'Once you leave your PPA, go home.'
— S. M. Lawal (@TheMolash) July 4, 2018
You must do NYSC before we can employ you…you go miles away from your family for so called NYSC but ZERO protection for corpers. Manage to finish NYSC, they ask you to bring 2-5yrs work experience. Kini koko gan paapa
— Nimi nomchops (@nimzkoko) July 4, 2018
NYSC is the first punishment you get for being a graduate.
— E-zrael Ani (@EzraelAni) July 4, 2018
The Senate has taken the matter up, read all about here.
Ronaldo to move to Juventus
Shortly after Portugal’s exit from the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup, the national team’s champion and world famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly leaving his current club Real Madrid to Juventus.
Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus will be announced on Saturday 7/7/2018.
He will also be the 7th Portuguese player ever to play for Juve…[via: Mediaset] pic.twitter.com/BqTzuvWvhh
— Football Stuff (@FootbalIStuff) July 6, 2018
A few reactions from football fans around the world
If Ronaldo moves to Juventus, all I’ll say is good luck to Ronaldo FC when they meet Milan Twitter. You’re going to need it.
— Xav Salazar (@XavsFutbol) July 5, 2018
On this day, 9 years ago Cristiano Ronaldo was presented as a Real Madrid player. 💥
Today he could leave Real Madrid at any moment..👀
The Greatest. https://t.co/ZvNHo8tOfQ— TeamCRonaldo. (@TeamCRonaldo) July 6, 2018
I think Cristiano Ronaldo to Juve is done and there's no going back unless a miracle happens and I don't have anything to say other than fuck Perez tbh.
— OMAR 🇵🇸✊🏽 (@Omaaar96) July 5, 2018
The worry is, if Ronaldo to Juve and Mbappe to Real, where does Neymar go? Only two other clubs can afford him and I don’t think even Barca can stretch to that atm.
I don’t think he’s staying in Paris.
— Graeme Kelly (@GraemeKelly1) July 4, 2018
LOL
When you ask a Real Madrid fan if they’re sad about Cristiano Ronaldo leaving for Juventus. pic.twitter.com/C1xweYZgNu
— PortugueseFootyMemes 🇵🇹 (@FutebolMemes) July 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/EPLBible/status/1015148464278253568
https://twitter.com/IbkThePlug/status/1015008151668776976
https://twitter.com/DonHaci/status/1015080191339696133
Nigerian football fans also weighed in
If Ronaldo still goes on to win trophies with Juve, then the Messi/Ronaldo debate dies a permanent death….till infinity and beyond.
— Sage. (@Olufisiayo) July 4, 2018
Ronaldo to Juventus makes absolutely no sense.
— mayowa. (@Wana____) July 5, 2018
~ Won everything in Man U and left.
Won everything in Madrid and decides to leave for Juventus.
Honestly, without being biased, I think the man is just a man that loves to challenge his abilities & prove his worth. Reason why I will pick him as the BEST to ever play soccer. https://t.co/LzBnacaLRT
— . (@DirectedByDiji) July 6, 2018
Ronaldo to Juventus is going to be bigger than LeBron to Lakers.
— Major (@king_adze) July 5, 2018
If you think I'm going to leave Real Madrid and move to Juventus, just because of Ronaldo?? Then you're dammn Right😂😂❤ pic.twitter.com/Q3gFq7MUkj
— Remi (@aderemimoses) July 6, 2018
Check these
A move to Juventus and a new reality TV series with Facebook!
Big changes could be afoot for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Gossip 🗞 https://t.co/DzW13nS04e pic.twitter.com/xHamArAlvG
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 5, 2018
Real Madrid will let Cristiano Ronaldo join Juventus for €100m, but only if he publicly declares it is his decision to move on, according to reports. Marca, Cope & Sky Sport Italia are among the sources suggesting Real Madrid want to be CLEAR of blame for the exit of the player. pic.twitter.com/zDO7OVRjhb
— RMadridHome_ (@RMadridHome_) July 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/spectatorindex/status/1015151820111351808
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player in Champions League history to score 10 goals against a single club in the competition.
It's Juventus. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/sXVddrt0xI
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 4, 2018
We await the official announcement reportedly schedued for tomorrow.
I’m always open to new experiences.
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