President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year, News About Nigeria reports.
This is contained in a statement signed and issued by the Special Adviser to the President, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.
The statement also revealed that Tinubu directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
“President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year,” the statement reads.
“The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip 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.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
“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.”
The president had said that only authorised government officials will attend this year’s UNGA scheduled to run from September 24–28.
Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff 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.
Gbajabiamila said the decision to reduce the country’s delegation for the UNGA is part of the “administration’s commitment to ensure prudent management of resources and reduce the cost of governance.”
