The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, will not go to the 79th United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York from September 24 to September 28, 2024. The Nigerian presidency announced this decision on September 19, 2024.
Bayo Onanuga, who advises the President on Information and Strategy, shared this news. You can see the statement here on Twitter.
Instead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will go to the meeting to represent Nigeria.
Why the President is Not Going
Onanuga said the President wants to focus on helping people in Borno State where there has been a lot of flooding. Many people have lost their homes and lives, and this has made both the government and international partners very concerned.
“President Tinubu just came back from trips to China and the United Kingdom. He wants to stay home to help fix some local problems, especially after the terrible floods,” Onanuga mentioned.
At the UN meeting, Vice President Shettima will give a speech on behalf of Nigeria. He will also join other important events and meet with leaders from other countries.
More Details About the Situation
This year’s UN assembly is about working together for peace, sustainable development, and human dignity.
Maiduguri, a city in Borno, is facing its worst flooding since 1994. Many houses are underwater because the Alau Dam has overflowed.
On Tuesday, the government told people living near the river to leave their homes immediately. Prof. Usman Tar, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, said, “It’s very important for everyone near the river to move to safer areas.”
On September 12, 2024, the Governor of Borno asked community leaders, business owners, and others to help those who are suffering.
“We are working with the federal government, non-profit groups, and the Nigerian military to help flood victims.
“I am asking everyone to join us and find the best ways to help. Together, we can not only deal with the immediate needs but also plan for recovery and rebuilding,” the Governor said.