Vice-President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Shettima, who departed Abuja on September 20, arrived in the country on Monday following his participation in the annual high-level gathering of world leaders.
President Tinubu had mandated the Vice-President to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA, where he delivered the President’s national statement during the General Debate.
According to a statement issued by Shettima’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Nigeria used the occasion to renew its call for reforms to the United Nations Security Council.
The statement said the Federal Government advocated permanent African representation on the council, fairer global financing, stronger climate support and deeper multilateral cooperation.
At the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, Shettima also conveyed the President’s call for African countries to move beyond the export of raw minerals and prioritise processing, manufacturing and value addition.
At a high-level education financing event co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, the Vice-President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to education and supported the Global Partnership for Education’s $5 billion financing campaign.
Shettima described education as ‘a critical investment in productivity, human capital and national prosperity.’
The Vice-President also met with Nigerians in the Diaspora, where he highlighted the importance of their investments, expertise and networks to Nigeria’s development.
He further held meetings with the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Commission and the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed.
According to the statement, the engagements focused on development financing, regional integration, economic cooperation, technology, peace and security.