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Tinubu in New York for UNGA as Nigerians demand to meet him

New York, Sept. 18, 2023: President Bola Tinubu on Sunday arrived in New York for the high-level meetings of the 78th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

Tinubu arrived at the JF Kennedy International Airport in New York at about 6:45pm local time.

The President is leading the Nigerian delegation to attend the scheduled events of the general assembly from Sept. 18 to 26 in what is his first outing in his capacity as the President of Nigeria.

The president was received by the Minister of Foreign of Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Amb.Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, and Maj.-Gen. Dangana Allu, Nigeria’s Defence Attache, Washington D.C.

Tinubu’s reception was a departure from the usual tradition where officials would line up at the airport to welcome the president.

This time, only three officials were there at the airport to receive the President with the other Nigerian officials stationed at the UN Plaza Millenium Hilton Hotel to welcome him.

Those at the hotel to welcome him were Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Amb. Uzoma Emenike; Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija; and Consul General in Atlanta, Amb. Amina Samaila.

Others are Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo; Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna; Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe; and Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara, among others.

Tinubu, in his inaugural statement to the Assembly, will be addressing world leaders in the evening of Tuesday at about 6pm local time.

The Nigerian leader will be the fifth African leader to speak on day one of the gathering and 14th speaker out of 20 leaders slated to speak in Tuesday.

Tinubu’s address will encompass several issues such as sustainable development, climate change, global cooperation, and the imperative to address inequalities and global humanitarian crises.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian President is slated to participate in the high-level dialogue on financing for development.

He will attend a high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response.

On Thursday, he will be participating in the UN Secretary General’s Climate Ambition Summit and attend a high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

He is also expected to join another high-level panel on reform of the global financial architecture.

On Friday, he will be attending the high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis.

During the week, Tinubu is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders including the presidents of the European Union Commission, Brazil, and South Africa, among others.

Tinubu will also advance his economic development agenda for aggressive investments attraction in meetings with the global leadership of transnational firms.

Among such firms are Microsoft, Meta Technologies, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, and a few others.

The theme of the UNGA is: “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.

Meanwhile, the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) and partner organisations are seeking an audience with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

James Francis, an OAN board member, in a letter on behalf of 20 Nigerian organisations, said the group would like Tinubu to have a strategic Town Hall Meeting with U.S.-based Nigerians.

A copy of the letter stated that the strategic meeting was to ensure the most fruitful engagement between the Nigerians in the country and their President.

“We welcome you on your first official trip to the U.S. as the President of our nation, and hope you will take advantage of our invitation to engage with Nigerians in the U.S.

“ OAN and its partner organisations specifically welcome you to the U.S. on your maiden High-Level meetings of the 78th Session, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We also wish to assure you of the support of Nigerians in the U.S.,’’ Francis said.

The official said Nigeria is blessed with abundant eminently-qualified human resources spanning all sectors in the diaspora, and especially in the U.S.

“We are also pleased to note that this demography of Nigerians is unapologetically patriotic and unwaveringly committed to the development of our homeland.

“Nigerians are part of the brain thrust of many successful large corporations and industries in the U.S., UK, Canada, and other parts of the world.

“Many of them are C-level executives in these establishments that are responsible for managing the critical aspects of the economy of their host countries,” he said.

According to him, the diaspora is beyond the billions dollars in annual remittances to Nigeria.

Francis said that many countries the world over had since leveraged on their diaspora to turn their fortunes around due to strategic importance of diasporas to the development of any nation.

“As you embark on the arduous task of returning Nigeria to her glorious days, we are assuring you of the support of many qualified Nigerians in the diaspora.

“Indeed, the Nigerian diasporas are available complimentary talents that can contribute immensely to your administration, especially in critical areas that require international collaborations and relationships, or where there are needs to build Nigerian standard to internationally-reputable standards,’’ he added.

Francis said as organisers of the annual Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Carnival, which is the largest annual gathering of Nigerians abroad since 1991, OAN Inc. was founded in 1989.

It was founded by a group of concerned Nigerians to address the needs of the Nigerian community.

At that time, the official said Nigeria and Nigerians were suffering seriously from negative stereotypes in the American media.

“Prior to OAN’s formation, no organisation existed that was committed to broader issues facing the Nigerian community in the U.S.

“Recognising the accomplishments and challenges faced by Nigerians living abroad, OAN filled the void by creating an umbrella organisation, which embraced Nigerians living from all walks of life, regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.

“The organisation also immediately dedicated itself to enhancing the image of Nigeria in the U.S., addressing the negative stereotypes of Nigeria and Nigerians in the American media and culture.

“OAN has since become a platform for engaging the Diaspora community in  meaningful dialogue and initiatives aimed at contributing to the development of Nigeria.’’ he said.

Francis added that while they were not unmindful of dire situation the Tinubu administration inherited, they are aware that Nigeria remains the envy of the international community in spite of challenges.

“We, therefore, believe that you possess the uncanny ability to take Nigeria out of its current challenges and put it on a pedestal that tasks other African leaders to deliver the age-long yearnings for good governance to their citizens,

“As the President of Africa’s largest democracy and economy, we are very hopeful that your administration will bring the much-needed reliefs to Nigerians.

“Once again, our group is prepared to work with your administration to realise a more prosperous, secure, and resilient Nigeria.

“We are willing to support you, Mr. President, to make your courageous and unwavering dream and quest for a better Nigeria a reality,’’ he said.

The president on his first outing to the Assembly will deliver his inaugural national statement to the world leaders on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian President is slated to participate in the high-level dialogue on financing for development.

He will attend a high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.

On Thursday, he will be participating in the UN Secretary General’s Climate Ambition Summit.

He will later attend a high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage and join another high-level panel on reform of the global financial architecture.

On Friday, he will be attending the high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis.

During the week, Tinubu is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders, including the Presidents of the European Union Commission, Brazil and South Africa, among others.

The theme of the UNGA is: “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all”.

Tinubu

Tinubu to deepen economic diplomacy at UNGA – Aide

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Abuja, Sept. 16, 2023: President Bola Tinubu will be using the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to exploit his administration’s economic diplomacy.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the president would also meet with global business chief executives and world leaders on the sidelines of the annual 78th UNGA holding from Sept. 19 to Sept. 23.

The 78th Session of the UNGA will feature the High-Level General Debate under the theme, “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”.

The UN General Assembly delivers recommendations on many international issues and manages internal UN appointments and budget approval.

Each UN member state gets one vote in the assembly.

For years, the assembly has struggled to make its work more substantive and transparent, and experts say reform is needed.

The 2023 debate will centre on climate change, the war in Ukraine and countries’ progress toward their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

‘’Aside from the engagements he is going to be having at the General Assembly, aside from the act of participation that the Nigerian delegation will be engaging in at the assembly, there are series of very important side activities that will have wide ranging ramifications on the Nigerian economy.

‘’Mr President will be meeting with major chief executives and leaders of multinational firms cutting across multiple sectors of the economy. The President will be meeting with the President of the Microsoft Company worldwide, Brad Smith, and Sir Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs for Meta technologies.

‘’He will also meet with the global CEO of General Electric, the global CEO of Exxon Mobil Oil and Gas Company. We see this as a major opportunity to once again lay out in detail what Nigeria has to offer with respect to the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, and the fiscal and tax incentives.’’

Ngelale added that the president would also participate in the Africa Global Business Initiative to showcase Nigeria’s potential to high level chief executives from around the world.

He said that Tinubu would also chair Nigeria’s Small and Medium Scale Business Summit where opportunities abound to launch the country’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises into the world market.

‘’This is really a very strategic one. The President is determined to ensure that we don’t just look at large industries but that we key in on opportunities that are being presented by MSMEs to make an impact in foreign markets.

‘’Yes, the President is focused on attracting foreign direct investment, attracting jobs, attracting new tax revenues into the shores of our country. But he’s also focused in on making sure that home-grown Nigerian companies have fair and equal access to foreign and international markets.

‘’In addition to that, the President will be speaking at the UN High Level reform of the global financial architecture. It will allow our president to lay out his vision for a fairer international financial system that does not any longer leave out developing countries from the decision making table.’’

Besides, Ngelale said that Tinubu would have bilateral discussions with various presidents and heads of government including the Presidents of the USA, Comoros, South Africa, the European Union, Brazil, Algeria, Prime Ministers of Netherlands and Spain as well as the King of Jordan.

‘’There are some that will still be added, but it’s fair to say that within a very short few days in New York, the President will certainly be one of the most active and sought after with respect to his engagements in both bilateral and multilateral platforms,’’ he said.

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Buhari at UNGA, seeks debt cancellation

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Bogged by a huge debt of $87 billion, President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to rich nations and international financial institutions for outright debt cancellation for developing.
Also, special consideration should be given to countries facing the most severe challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that had ravaged economies globally.
Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO) reports that the Total Public Debt Stock which comprises of the Debt Stock of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), thirty-six (36) State Governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) stood at N33.107 trillion or $87.239 billion.
The Debt Stock also includes Promissory Notes issued to settle the inherited arrears of the federal government to State Governments, Oil Marketing Companies, Exporters and Local Contractors.
There had been increase in the Domestic Debt Stock which grew by 2.11% and the Federal government’s share of the Domestic Debt includes Bonds, Sukuk and Green Bonds used to finance infrastructure and other capital projects.
In his speech at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly on Friday in New York, Buhari, particularly urged G20 countries to extend their debt suspension initiatives to least developed countries and small island developing states facing fiscal and liquidity challenges.
He said that developing countries have been faced with unsustainable debt burdens even before the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic, he said, has increased the risk of new wave of deepening debt, where vital public financial resources are allocated to external debt servicing and repayments, at the expense of domestic health and financing for critical developmental needs.
‘‘I must commend the current initiatives by the international financial institutions and the G20 aimed at significantly mitigating the economic situation of the indebted countries and urge for more efforts in this regard.
‘‘Therefore, there is an urgent need to consider expansion and extension of the debt service suspension initiative to include all developing, least developed countries and small island developing states facing fiscal and liquidity challenges.
‘‘In addition, a review of the eligibility criteria for debt suspension, including outright cancellation, is needed for countries facing the most severe challenges’’, Buhari told world leaders at the assembly.
The Nigerian leader called for reforms of international trade that would engender recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, build resilience to future shocks and pursue transformative development strategies that can deliver the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals .
‘‘Nigeria reaffirms that international trade is an engine for development and sustained economic growth, as well as the global eradication of poverty.
‘‘My delegation would like to reaffirm the critical role that a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system can play in stimulating economic growth and development.
‘‘Fair and equitable trade would eventually eliminate the need for aid.
‘‘My country and indeed all African countries do not intend to stay indefinitely looking for aid. All we need is a fair and equitable system of international trade,’’ he said.
President also used the occasion of the speech to renew his advocacy for equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, outlining steps Nigeria had taken to achieve ‘‘moderate success’’ in containing the virus and halt its deadly onslaught in the country.
‘‘Nigeria remains grateful for the assistance received from our partners and friends all over the world. Vaccination is the key to our safe emergence from the pandemic.
‘‘We fully support the COVAX initiative from which we have benefitted. We also thank the United States of America, Turkey, India, China, European Union, and others for the vaccines provided.
‘‘Despite the acknowledgement, however, I would like to reiterate my call for a fairer and more equitable distribution of vaccines to all countries so that, together, we can fight and contain the pandemic.’’
He said that the rising wave of newer and more contagious strains, makes this even more urgent.
 
No country can afford the socio-economic implications of prolonged shutdown. It is imperative to underscore that no one is safe until everyone is safe, he said.
He said Nigeria had intervened to halt the pandemic, adding, “at the outset, we recognised detection and contact tracing to be important tools in combating the virus.
‘‘In this connection, from a mere four laboratories with testing and detection capacities, we ramped up the facilities to over 140 centres today.
‘‘Similarly, we built isolation centres and emergency hospital wards in record time all over the country. We carry out genomic sequencing in designated laboratories across the country with a view to detecting variants in circulation.
‘‘In addition, over 40,000 health care workers have recently been trained on Infection, Prevention and Control measures with the support of various partners.
‘‘Through the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, we have established 16 infectious disease treatment centres located within our Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres”, he said.
On terrorism, Buhari told the UN General Assembly that Nigeria’s security forces had recorded considerable success in the fight against terrorism.
‘‘As a result of the renewed vigour of Nigeria’s military, many terrorist fighters are voluntarily surrendering to our security forces,’’ he said.
The President noted that while terrorism continued to dominate security discourse worldwide, in Nigeria, Boko Haram terrorists group, though fragmented by internal strife and weakened by our defence forces, is still active and preying on soft targets.
‘‘Nigeria will continue to work closely with the UN Counter-Terrorism bodies and entities with a view to bringing this scourge to an end, ’’ he added.
The country would spare no effort in addressing the challenges of terrorism posed by the activities of Boko Haram in North-East Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, as well as banditry in the North-West and North-Central Nigeria, the President said.
‘‘I and three other Nigerian Heads of State served actively as peace keepers and Nigeria continues to support peacekeeping efforts. We know the sacrifice involved; we also know how important peacekeeping is for those in vulnerable situations.
‘‘Nigeria will continue to play its part fully in supporting UN peacekeeping operations within Africa and beyond,’’ he said.