By Marvellous Nyang
September 24, 2024
There is uncertainty regarding Nigeria’s speaking slot at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which opens today, September 24.
According to an exclusive Empowered Newswire report by Laolu Akande, concerns are growing over how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s absence might affect Nigeria’s visibility at the event.
Following his return from trips to China and the UK, President Tinubu announced last week that he would not attend this year’s UNGA due to significant domestic challenges, including the flooding disaster in Maiduguri, Borno State.
This decision has raised alarms among Nigerian diplomats at the Permanent Mission to the UN about potential changes to the speaking schedule originally allocated to him.
UN protocols typically grant precedence to heads of state over vice presidents in speaking order.
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At a press briefing on Monday, Empowered Newswire sought clarification on whether the absence of President Tinubu would impact Nigeria’s speaking slot.
Although UN spokespersons could not provide an immediate answer, Ms. Sharon Birch, spokesperson for the President of the UN General Assembly, later clarified via email.
“Normally, after the issuance of the provisional list of speakers, if the level of representation of a member state changes, the replacement speaker will be accommodated as the final speaker in their category,” Birch stated.
“If a Vice President replaces the President, he will then be the last one to speak in the category for Vice Presidents.”
A senior Nigerian diplomat found this response reasonable, noting that vice presidents typically speak after presidents.
However, as of Tuesday morning, officials at the Nigerian Permanent Mission had yet to receive formal communication regarding any changes to their speaking slot.
“We tried to maintain the slot,” one senior diplomat remarked, referring to the position originally granted to President Tinubu.
Other Nigerian officials indicated that Vice President Kashim Shettima would still address the assembly today, in line with the initial schedule.
A UN Secretariat insider commented, “If the VP speaks at the exact slot given to the President, then you must commend the diplomatic skill and influence of the Nigerian officials at the Permanent Mission because normally, a VP shouldn’t speak ahead of Presidents.”
According to Mr. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, 76 heads of state have confirmed their participation to speak at UN headquarters as of Monday, alongside four vice presidents, two crown princes, 42 heads of government, and nine deputy prime ministers.
Dujarric also noted that over 11,000 attendees were present in the UN complex on the first day of the Summit of the Future, which precedes the General Debate commencing today.
