President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the decision was made because the President is currently on a working vacation and has directed Shettima to represent him at the high-level international gathering. The Presidency confirmed on September 21 that Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation by a few days.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the UN General Assembly. He will also participate in high-level meetings and hold bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.
Idris said Nigeria would remain fully represented throughout the high-level session and stressed that Shettima would be acting with the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Nigeria will be fully represented in New York. Nigeria’s interests will be vigorously advanced. And the work of strengthening the country’s relationships with its international partners will continue,” he said.
According to the minister, Shettima’s engagements will focus on Nigeria’s priorities in areas including peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.
The high-level general debate of the 81st UN General Assembly is scheduled to begin on September 22.
The decision to send Shettima comes amid public discussion over Tinubu’s absence from the annual gathering of world leaders. The President left Nigeria on August 30 for his working vacation, initially travelling to London before moving to Paris, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency said Tinubu has continued to direct affairs of government while away, including ordering an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Idris also responded to comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a US-based lobbying organisation concerning Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.
The minister said political opposition and public debate were legitimate aspects of democracy but cautioned political actors against presenting speculation as established fact, particularly on issues that could affect Nigeria’s international relationships and reputation.
He also highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s relationship with the United States, including cooperation in trade and investment, security, energy, democratic institutions, regional stability and people-to-people relations.
According to Idris, Nigeria’s engagement with the US is conducted through established diplomatic and governmental channels and should be distinguished from partisan political commentary and activities by private lobbying organisations.
The minister urged Nigerians and the media to distinguish between verified information, legitimate political opinions and unsubstantiated claims when discussing the President’s absence and Nigeria’s representation at the UN.
Source: Federal Government
