Former Nigerian diplomat Joe Keshi has stated that President Bola Tinubu's attendance at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is not crucial as long as Nigeria has adequate representation. Keshi made this remark on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television's Morning Show. He emphasized that the presence of the Vice President leading the Nigerian delegation would be sufficient representation for the country.
According to Keshi, the debate over Tinubu's attendance at the UNGA has distracted Nigerians from the critical issues being addressed by the international body. He expressed surprise that the discussion has centered on whether the President attends or not, rather than focusing on the key issues at hand. Keshi argued that Nigeria's participation should be evaluated based on the quality of its representation and the issues it advances, rather than the President's personal attendance.
Keshi maintained that Nigeria's presence at the global gathering remains the priority, regardless of who leads the delegation. He cited instances where Nigerian leaders, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, attended the UNGA, but questioned the tangible outcomes of their attendance. Keshi emphasized that as long as a Nigerian delegation or Nigeria is represented, the country is attending the UNGA.
The former diplomat stressed that the focus should be on the effectiveness of Nigeria's representation, rather than the President's presence. He noted that there have been times when the President of Nigeria did not attend the UNGA, but the country was still represented. Keshi argued that the debates surrounding the President's attendance are "innocuous" and "irrelevant."
Keshi's comments come as President Tinubu's attendance at the UNGA has been a subject of discussion in Nigeria. Some have argued that the President's presence is crucial for Nigeria's representation, while others have questioned the need for his attendance. Keshi's remarks are likely to add fuel to the debate.
The 80th session of the UNGA is currently underway, with world leaders gathering to discuss pressing global issues. Nigeria's representation at the event is being led by the Vice President, who is expected to advance the country's interests and engage with other world leaders.
In conclusion, Keshi's comments highlight the need for Nigerians to focus on the substance of the country's representation at the UNGA, rather than the President's personal attendance. As the global gathering continues, Nigerians will be watching to see how the country's interests are advanced and what outcomes are achieved.
Key points
- Former diplomat Joe Keshi says President Bola Tinubu's presence at the UNGA is irrelevant as long as Nigeria is adequately represented.
