President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this year. This means the president will not be attending the gathering of international leaders.
The UNGA is an annual gathering where leaders or their representatives from UN member states come together to discuss important issues. After his recent trips to China and the United Kingdom, President Tinubu has decided to sit this one out to focus on pressing matters back home.
Dada Olusegun, the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, shared that President Tinubu wants to dedicate his time to addressing challenges in the country, especially after the recent severe flooding.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Olusegun wrote: “Mr. President will not attend this year’s United Nations General Assembly because he wants to concentrate on tackling domestic issues and responding to recent challenges.”
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, mentioned that Vice President Shettima will represent Nigeria by delivering the national statement, participating in important side events, and meeting with other leaders.
The high-level General Debate, themed “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” is set to take place from Tuesday, September 24, to Saturday, September 28, 2024.