Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 to lead the Nigerian delegation to the annual global gathering, where he participated in several high-level meetings and engagements.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, said the Vice President presented Tinubu’s national address during the General Debate.
Nigeria, according to the statement, used the occasion to renew its demand for reforms to the UN Security Council, including permanent representation for Africa, improved access to global financing and increased support for climate-related initiatives.
Shettima also participated in the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where Nigeria advocated greater processing of Africa’s raw materials within the continent instead of relying largely on the export of unprocessed minerals.
At an education financing programme jointly organised by Nigeria and Italy, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that investment in education was essential to improving productivity, developing human capital and strengthening national development.
He also interacted with Nigerians living abroad and highlighted the contribution of their investments, expertise and professional networks to the country’s economic growth.
The Vice President’s engagements further included meetings with the leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, during which Nigeria’s positions on regional integration, development financing, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security were discussed.
