.…as Shettima arrives South Africa
There are strong indications that Nigeria’s current security situation and economic challenges will feature prominently as Vice President Kashim Shettima presents Nigeria’s position at the G20 Summit.
BusinessDay gathered that Shettima, who arrived in South Africa on Friday evening, is scheduled to engage foreign leaders and development partners on issues relating to the economy, security, climate change, among others.
It was also gathered that he will engage in high-level diplomatic discussions that will enable him to effectively present a true picture of the ongoing security situation in Nigeria.
The G20 Summit presents a unique platform for Nigeria to convince global leaders of the need to partner with the country in addressing security threats posed by ISWAP, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups wreaking havoc across the country.
The summit is taking place in the wake of Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by U.S. President Donald Trump, following ongoing debates around alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has, however, rejected the U.S. position.
The Vice President, who is representing President Bola Tinubu, has been mandated to use the opportunity to convey Nigeria’s true position to the global community as part of efforts to tackle terrorism.
The Nigerian government has also reiterated its commitment to confronting security challenges head-on while calling for global support and partnerships to end the killing of innocent citizens.
President Tinubu, who was initially billed to attend the summit, made a last-minute decision to stay back to personally coordinate the response to recent security threats and efforts to rescue the 24 schoolgirls kidnapped in Manga Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Vice President Shettima is supported at the high level global engagements by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance, and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Shettima was received at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Johannesburg by the Minister, and Alexander Ajayi, the Nigeria Chargé d’Affaires.
Others include Umar Bashir, Consul General; Ibrahim Ari Gwaska, Defence Adviser; Chief Director, West Africa Directorate, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Nyameko Goso; and Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the South African Minister of Small Business Development, among other government officials.
President Bola Tinubu was earlier scheduled to be in South Africa on Wednesday, November 19, following an invitation from his counterpart and current G20 President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
However, Tinubu cancelled his trip and delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him, as he remains in Nigeria to receive security briefings after the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and the attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
Read also: Shettima departs Abuja to represent Tinubu at G20 summit
The G20 meeting is scheduled to hold from November 22 to 23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre and will feature leaders of the world’s top 20 economies, as well as representatives of the European Union, the African Union, and key financial institutions.
Themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” the two-day summit will afford participants, including Vice President Shettima, the opportunity to deliberate extensively on issues concerning the economy, financing for development and debt, climate change, and equitable food systems during three panel sessions.
Additionally, the Vice President is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda, and to discuss regional and international peace, security, and development.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the engagements.
