UNGA: Shettima Leads Nigeria’s Delegation, First VP To Do So Since 1999

Vice-President Kashim Shetima has departed Abuja for the United States, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 79^th session of the United Nations General  Assembly, UNGA.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President On Media and Communications, the trip to the US was at the behest of President Tinubu.

The presidential aide said the Vice President will present the country’s position on key international issues and would also speak to the delegates on the recent flooding that devastated most parts of the country.

The magazine reported that the president was forced to abandoned his earlier plan to attend the UNGA meeting in order to face the problems at home.

The event is billed for September 24 and 28, with the them Leaving no one behind: “Acting Together For The Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, And Human Dignity For Present And Future Generations.”

“It would be recalled that President Tinubu had directed the Vice President to lead the Nigerian delegation to the high-level global forum while he focuses on addressing pressing domestic issues, including the recent devastating flood disaster,” the statement said.

In a statement on September 18, Bayo Onanuga, a spokesman to the President disclosed that pressure Tinubu would no longer attend the meeting due to pressure on him to fix the problems at home, including the economic hardship and the devastating flooding in some parts of the country. .

“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,” Onanuga said.

Meanwhile, the magazine notes that since the return to democratic governance in 1999, Shettima will be the first Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.