By Agbafo Ijeoma
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria’s engagements at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly will be guided by the country’s national interest, as he arrived in New York to represent President Bola Tinubu at the high-level gathering.
Shettima arrived in the United States alongside Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite, and other senior government officials. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and the Tinubu administration’s advocacy for reforms to global institutions to reflect current economic and demographic realities.
The Vice-President said Nigeria would engage its international partners from the standpoint of its national interests while pushing for a global system that gives developing countries a stronger voice and greater opportunities for economic growth. He added that Nigeria would continue to support efforts to make international institutions more representative, equitable and responsive to contemporary realities.
During the UN General Assembly, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s positions on major international issues and priorities. He is also scheduled to participate in high-level meetings and hold bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the event.
Nigeria is expected to use the engagements to reinforce its positions on reforms to the international financial architecture and sustainable development.
The Vice-President was received in New York by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Ibrahim Hadejia, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, among other officials.
