Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the opening of the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Shettima is representing President Bola Tinubu and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the global gathering, where he is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement before the General Assembly on Thursday, September 24.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.
The Vice President had earlier attended a welcome breakfast hosted by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of delegation and their spouses.
Shettima later arrived at the General Assembly Hall alongside the governors of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal; Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara.
Other members of the Nigerian delegation included the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; and other senior government officials.
The General Debate is being held from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
The opening session featured remarks by Guterres and addresses by world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and United States President Donald Trump.
According to the statement, Shettima’s national address will outline Nigeria’s position on major global issues and highlight President Tinubu’s priorities on the reform of international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and the pursuit of a more equitable global economic order.
The statement said Shettima, accompanied by governors, ministers, presidential aides and other members of the Nigerian delegation, also made a brief stop at Nigeria House in New York after leaving the UN headquarters.
Earlier in his New York engagements, the Vice President represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group.
At the meeting, Shettima called for a new continental approach to reduce Africa’s dependence on exporting raw minerals and promote processing, manufacturing and value addition within the continent.
He said Africa’s mineral wealth should translate into jobs, industrial growth and improved living standards, while urging African countries to strengthen cooperation rather than compete through concessions that could reduce the value derived from their natural resources.
The statement added that Shettima would participate in further high-level and bilateral engagements during the UN General Assembly week as Nigeria seeks to advance its national interests and strengthen cooperation with international partners.
