By Daily Review Online
Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after leading the country’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Shettima represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the annual gathering of world leaders, where he advanced Nigeria’s position on reform of the global governance and international financial systems.
The Vice President departed Abuja on September 20 on the President’s mandate to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the General Assembly.
His return was announced on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
At the General Debate, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s National Statement, in which Nigeria renewed its call for reform of the United Nations system to reflect contemporary global realities.
A major plank of Nigeria’s position was the demand for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council, with the Federal Government arguing that the continent should have a stronger voice in decisions affecting global peace, security and development.
Nigeria also called for reforms to the international financial system, increased climate financing and stronger multilateral cooperation to address development and security challenges confronting developing countries.
Beyond the General Debate, Shettima participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group.
At the meeting, President Tinubu’s position, delivered by the Vice President, urged African countries to move away from the longstanding practice of exporting raw minerals without retaining sufficient economic value from their natural resources.
The administration advocated greater local processing, refining and manufacturing of minerals across the continent, saying value addition would help create jobs, strengthen domestic industries and ensure that African countries retain a larger share of the economic benefits generated by their mineral resources.
Shettima also represented Nigeria at a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that education is a strategic investment in productivity, human capital development and Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.
Nigeria also backed the Global Partnership for Education’s $5 billion financing campaign, highlighting the need for increased international investment in education, particularly in developing countries facing substantial funding gaps.
During the visit, the Vice President met with Nigerians in the Diaspora and urged them to contribute their investment, professional expertise and international networks to the country’s development.
According to the Presidency, Shettima also held engagements with the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission.
He further met United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed as part of Nigeria’s diplomatic consultations on the margins of the General Assembly.
The engagements also focused on regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security and development financing.
Shettima’s participation at UNGA 81 came against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s ongoing working vacation in Europe.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London before proceeding to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and business leaders.
The Presidency had said that the President remained in charge of the affairs of state while abroad and had delegated Shettima and other senior government officials to represent him at official engagements during the period.
With Shettima’s return, the Vice President is expected to resume his regular engagements in Nigeria after representing the country at the high-level diplomatic gathering in New York.