Former Presidential media aide, Laolu Akande, has commended Nigerian career diplomats for their crucial role in upholding Nigeria’s prominence at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He made these remarks during Inside Sources, a Channels Television programme he hosts weekly. Akande’s comments followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to prioritize domestic issues, which led to his absence from the global summit.
Speaking during the My Take segment of the programme broadcast from New York, Akande acknowledged the challenges posed by President Tinubu’s absence. “But, his absence here [in New York] created a bit of challenge for Nigerian diplomats at the United Nations. They are concerned that since Nigeria is now being represented by the Vice President, the normal protocol will mean all the more than 70 presidents as heads of state who are attending the meeting physically will have to speak before the Vice President,” he said.
The traditional expectation is that heads of state attending the UNGA in person receive priority in the speaking order. This year, with over 70 presidents present, Nigeria, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, risked losing its Day One speaking slot, which was originally secured under the assumption that President Tinubu would attend. “This posed a bit of a challenge for Nigerian diplomats here at the UN,” Akande remarked. “There was concern that since Nigeria was represented by the Vice President, the protocol would push Nigeria down the speaking order, as the heads of state present would speak first.”
