President Bola Tinubu will not be attending the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this year. Instead, Vice President Kashim Shettima has been tasked with leading Nigeria’s delegation to the global event.
This decision was confirmed in a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to the statement, President Tinubu, who recently returned from a trip to China and the United Kingdom, has chosen to remain in the country to focus on pressing domestic issues, particularly in the wake of recent devastating floods affecting parts of Nigeria.
The statement emphasized that “President Tinubu wants to address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding in parts of the country.”
During UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the Assembly. He will also attend key sideline events and participate in bilateral meetings on behalf of the country.
This year’s 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 scheduled to run from Tuesday, September 24, to Saturday, September 28, 2024.