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The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has explained that President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York is because he is currently on annual leave.
Idris said Tinubu’s decision to mandate Vice-President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation should not be interpreted as a reduction in the country’s diplomatic representation at the high-level gathering.
In a statement on Monday, the minister said Shettima was attending the UNGA with the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“President Tinubu is currently on annual leave, and his decision to ask the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation is neither unusual nor a diminution of the country’s diplomatic standing,” Idris said.
The Presidency had announced on August 30 that Tinubu was commencing a three-week vacation in Europe as part of his annual leave, with London listed as his first destination.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.
According to Idris, the Vice-President’s engagements will focus on Nigeria’s priorities in peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.
“Vice President Shettima carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the minister said, adding that Nigeria would be “fully and effectively represented” throughout the high-level session.
The explanation followed public commentary over Tinubu’s absence, particularly after Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, had said in July that the President would personally attend the 81st UNGA.
The 81st UNGA General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Shettima’s representation of Tinubu at major international engagements is not unprecedented. In July, the Vice-President represented the President at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
