Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has arrived in New York to attend the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA. He is representing President Bola Tinubu at the meeting, which begins on Monday and will run until September 28.During the session, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the high-level general debate. He will also announce the country’s new commitments on climate change under the Paris Agreement and take part in several important meetings, including roundtables, bilateral talks, and side events with world leaders.President Tinubu was originally scheduled to speak on day two of the general debate, in the afternoon session, around 8:30 p.m. New York time, but his deputy will now stand in for him.On arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Vice President was received by top Nigerian officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, and Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires at the UN, Ambassador Samson Itegboje. Also present were the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Defence Attaché in New York, Brigadier-General Edward Koleoso, and Defence Attaché in Washington, Group Captain Sani Kalgo.Speaking on Nigeria’s priorities for UNGA 80, Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar said the country would continue to push for a United Nations Global Convention on Taxation and for Africa’s permanent representation on the UN Security Council.He stressed that Nigeria is championing Africa’s common position, known as the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which demands at least two permanent seats for the continent.
