Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
In a statement on Sunday, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President’s spokesman, confirmed Shettima’s return.
During the session, Shettima called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council, urging world leaders to ensure Nigeria and other African nations receive permanent seats. He stated, “Some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have offered encouraging, if tentative indications of support on the issue of reform of the Council. We welcome the change in tone and urge an acceleration in momentum to the process.”
He emphasised the need to expand the Security Council to reflect global diversity, saying, “The Security Council should be expanded, in the permanent and non-permanent member categories, to reflect the diversity and plurality of the world. We fully support the efforts of Secretary-General Guterres in this regard.”
Shettima reminded world leaders of the core values of the UN, saying, “The United Nations stands for multilateralism, which represents inclusiveness, anchored on the tripod of peace, sustainable development, and human rights.”
He also noted the persistence of global challenges, remarking, “From last year’s summit, and indeed from previous years, we have carried over the numerous challenges of terrorism, armed conflict, inequality, poverty, racial discrimination, human rights abuses, food crises, hunger, irregular migration, piracy, global pandemics, hyper-inflation, nuclear proliferation, grinding debt burden, climate change, and a host of other vexations. The continued manifestation of these challenges testifies to our failings rather than to any lofty achievements on our part. Billions of dollars are being committed to the prosecution of wars and the fanning of the embers of conflict.”
Lamenting the rise of military coups in Africa, Shettima said these coups highlight the fragility of democracy when not supported by economic development and peace.
In addition to his address, the Vice President participated in bilateral meetings and sideline events at the General Assembly.
Nkwocha added that Shettima will join President Tinubu for events marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary.