President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this year.
In his stead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual summit.
Tinubu “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed on Thursday.
The statement is titled ‘Vice President Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly.’
It read, “President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
“Therefore, the President has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.”
Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trips to China and the United Kingdom, “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” said Onanuga.
At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
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The high-level General Debate, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Meanwhile, the statement only mentioned that the Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly but there was no mention of other delegates that will be going along with him to the event.
Recounting an earlier report by NaijaTimesUSA that the President has directed that only authorised government officials should attend the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York, United States.
Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff (CoS) to the president, conveyed Tinubu’s directive during a one-day retreat organised by the State House management for heads of government agencies under its supervision.
He said the decision was made as a part of the “administration’s commitment to ensure prudent management of resources and reduce the cost of governance”.
