Shettima departs Abuja for US to attend 79th UNGA session

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for the United States to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In a statement on Sunday, Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, said Shettima’s trip to UNGA was at the behest of President Bola Tinubu.

The 79th UNGA 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 be held between September 24 and 28.

“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 reads.

Nkwocha said during the session, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, participate in key meetings on the sidelines of the event, and engage in bilateral discussions.

The president had said that only authorised government officials will attend this year’s UNGA.

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 to the UNGA is part of the “administration’s commitment to ensure prudent management of resources and reduce the cost of governance”.