On Saturday, President Bola Tinubu ordered a reduction in the size of Nigeria’s official delegation attending the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, this September.
The President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced this directive during a one-day retreat held in Abuja by the State House management for leaders of government agencies under its jurisdiction.
The theme of the one-day retreat was ‘Strengthening Institutional Mechanism for Effective Delivery.’
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu directs that only authorised officials with business at UNGA should attend.’
Speaking to attendees at the retreat, the Chief of Staff stated, “During recent protests, there were talks about reduction in the cost of governance. Everyone is waiting to see if Nigeria, as in the past, will send the ‘largest delegation’ to UNGA.
”From experience, we know that some individuals use the opportunity of such international meetings to go about their personal businesses.
”I have received a directive from Mr. President that this time, we will be strict. If you have no business at the UN General Assembly, do not step foot in America, and this is a directive from Mr. President.”
He stated that the choice to downsize Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA in September aligns with the administration’s dedication to managing resources responsibly and cutting down on governance expenses.
He further emphasized that the State House and the agencies it oversees must carry out their duties in accordance with legal frameworks, policies, and presidential directives.
Gbajabiamila hinted at forthcoming policy announcements designed to enhance the efficiency of government services.
“I just discussed with the President this afternoon. In the next few weeks, we are going to see a test of this policy during UNGA in New York,” he mentioned.
The Chief of Staff encouraged agency leaders at the retreat to adhere strictly, emphasizing that the President is attentive to Nigerians’ concerns and dedicated to resolving them with care.
Regarding the retreat, Gbajabiamila highlighted that it will promote cooperation and coordination among government agencies, especially those directly overseen by the State House.
“The idea is to ensure coherence as we jointly work together to achieve the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Coordination is not just a choice but a necessity for the government to succeed and for us to meet the expectations of the Nigerian people,” he said.
He mentioned that the retreat would be an ongoing activity, as governance is a dynamic process that demands frequent modifications.
The Chief of Staff also encouraged the State House management and the heads of agencies under its purview to set a standard by adhering to statutes, laws, regulations, and policies aimed at improving governance.
