Gbenga Omotayo

Executive Director @USAfricaHUB, Founder @PacetasAgency, connector in 🇺🇸-🇦🇫 trade. Africa's special envoy in the making 🌍Biz Consultant | Speaker |

[Gbenga Omotayo @MeetGbenga]

In this 2 mins #Video, i summarized how at @USAfricahub, we help #smallbusinesses, #minorityowned and #womeninbusiness find export opportunities in Africa and the #people, #fundingopportunity and the #market you need to be successful as a US/ Afican #exporter, Get in touch!

[Gbenga Omotayo @MeetGbenga]

@Elonmusklona 4

[Laolu Akande @akandeoj]

CONFLICTING SIGNALS OVER NIGERIA'S DAY ONE UN SPEAKING SLOT AMID PRESIDENT TINUBU’S ABSENCE

*GENERAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE OPENS TODAY

By Laolu Akande
Empowered Newswire, New York

As the 79th session of the annual United Nations General Assembly opens today Tuesday Sept 24, the Nigerian national statement is expected to be among those to be made on the first day of the meeting, Empowered Newswire reports.

But there are conflicting signals here at the New York headquarters of the global body over whether the absence of the Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could affect the prominent day one slot earlier given to Nigeria on the assumption that the country would be represented by its head of state-the President.

Due to domestic challenges at home, especially the flooding disaster in Maiduguri, Borno State, President Tinubu announced last week after returning from a trip to China and UK that he would not be attending this year's UNGA in New York.

Since then, Nigerian diplomats here at the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the UN have been worried that there may be a change of the slot with the fact that the country would now be represented by its VP. They noted that UN protocols normally indicated that Presidents and Kings would have pre-eminence in speaking order above Vice Presidents.

At a press briefing on Monday, Empowered Newswire had asked the Spokespersons of the United Nations if the slot would change because the President has said he would be absent, and that the country would be represented by the Vice President.

While the spokespersons at the briefing didn't have an immediate answer, Empowered Newswire later got a response from Ms. Sharon Birch, the spokesperson to the president of the UN General Assembly, sent to this reporter last night by email.

According to her, "With regard to your question, please see explanation below from our Protocol officers:

"Normally, “after the issuance of the provisional list of speakers, the level of representation of a member state changes, the replacement speaker will be accommodated as the final speaker in their category. Similarly, if the speaker is upgraded to a higher level, the replacement speaker will be last in their category”.

Empowered Newswire then pressed her to further clarify, to which she responded that "If a Vice President replaces the President, he will then be the last one to speak in the category for Vice Presidents."

A senior Nigerian diplomat explained that the response is reasonable since VPs speak after presidents.

But, officials of the Nigerian Permanent Mission have not received any such communication from the UN as at press time, Tuesday morning here in New York. One senior diplomat told me, "we tried to maintain the slot," referring to the slot the UN gave to President Tinubu.

Other top Nigerian government officials here also hinted that Vice President Kashim Shettima would still be speaking today on Day One as far at the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the UN is concerned, on the slot given to the President.

But a UN Secretariat insider observed that "If the VP speaks at the exact slot given the President, then you must commend the diplomatic skill and influence of the Nigerian officials at the Permanent Mission because normally, a VP shouldn't speak ahead of Presidents."

According to Mr. Stephanie Dujarric, the Spokesperson to the Secretary-General of the UN, there are already 76 heads of states who have confirmed participation -physically to speak at the UN headquarters as at Monday. Heads of State are Monarchs and Presidents.

In addition, Dujarric said there are also 4 vice presidents, two Crown Princes, 42 heads of government - like Prime Ministers and 9 Deputy Prime Ministers.

He disclosed that on Day One of the Summit of the Future on Sunday-which precedes the General Debate, which opens today, there were over 11k in the UN complex.

See https://t.co/VNzEDbDnzx for more videos & the speaking schedule
https://t.co/xLD9COGxxV

[Laolu Akande @akandeoj]

Let's hope that someone will help us tell the president that as rough and as touchy as things are today, some Nigerians still take him very seriously when he makes such remarks like he did in China recently, that (and I quote him again), "that I am committed to providing -the- leadership". He should not fail us!

[Laolu Akande @akandeoj]

Good point @elonmusk, if you meant that @KamalaHarris won the debate last night, you would be absolutely correct.

But to expect VP Harris to be the one calling the shots already in the White House or trying to judge her by what she didn't do so far as VP-you are then missing the point.

In a presidential system, VPs don't make policies AT ALL. The best a VP can do is to advise, and that is always behind the scenes. Many Americans are getting to meet Harris and judging by the polls, more and more of them seem to like what they are finding out. A la @taylorswift13 who just announced her endorsement for Harris after last night's debate.

As for the moderators, honestly, it would be such a big task for them to sit down there being professional journalists listening to many inaccuracies by former President Trump and just keep silent. I won't be able to do that as a journalist myself.

What is clear is that Harris is the better choice in the 2024 US Presidential Elections! On November 5, Americans will make the ultimate decision of who is indeed better. My vote is for Harris/Walz.
#Kamala4President2024 #TrumpIsUnfitForOffice @channelstv @babalolaconnect @GazetteNGR @SaharaReporters @PremiumTimesng @MrLekanAdigun @fisayosoyombo @ProNigeria1

[Laolu Akande @akandeoj]

Chief George Moghalu, who was founding National Auditor of the ruling APC, left the party recently & spoke about it on the Sunday edition of #InsideSources yesterday. In this clip, he recalled how some poor national decisions of the past are now coming back to bite us as a nation. It was an interesting conversation

[Gbenga Omotayo @MeetGbenga]

Join us at USAfrica Business Week for an experience filled with insightful sessions and networking opportunities.

👇 Secure your spot today!
https://t.co/FgtBWHo6zD

@usafricahub #usafrica #usafricahub #usafricaexim #UNGA - via #Whova event app https://t.co/FgtBWHo6zD

[USAfrica Business HUB @theusafricahub]

INTRODUCING THE USAFRICA TRADE CHAMPIONS!

We are excited to unveil the inaugural USAFRICA Trade Champions, recognizing exceptional achievements in advancing export and import trade and investment in the US-Africa Corridor.

[USAfrica Business HUB @theusafricahub]

Unlock Global Business Opportunities With The USAfrica Business Hub!

Our all-in-one platform connects your business with suppliers, buyers, and potential investors. We prioritize helping small businesses expand into international markets.

[Gbenga Omotayo @MeetGbenga]

@Usafricahub Good stuff #unga78

[USAfrica Business HUB @theusafricahub]

Sponsor a Session at the USAfrica Business Week 2024! 🔊

Do you want to elevate your brand's visibility and influence in the international business arena?

[Laolu Akande @akandeoj]

The recent suicide bombings in Borno is an unnerving reminder to battle against poverty, ignorance & misery. When we win, our people won't likely be an easy catch for such offers to be a suicide bomber. Clip - MY TAKE @ #InsideSources earlier today. Replay Sunday 8am @channelstv

[USAfrica Business HUB @theusafricahub]

Reflecting on the success of our 6th edition last year in New York! We had the honor of hosting esteemed speakers such as Kevin Kim, Busie Matsiko-Andan and Akindele Akinyemi, who shared invaluable insights on fostering trade and investment between the USA and Africa.

[Gbenga Omotayo @MeetGbenga]

Hi! I'm attending USAfrica Business Week #usafricahub #usafrica #usafricahub #usafricaexim #UNGA. Let's start connecting with each other now. https://t.co/LJtBUHV3PQ @Usafricahub - via Whova event app https://t.co/G9KT7qaFat

[USAfrica Business HUB @theusafricahub]

For those who haven't purchased tickets yet, secure your spot now before the early bird deadline on July 13, 2024:
https://t.co/hlwYQBIFpx

#USAfricaBusinessWeek #UNGA79 #CustomerSupport #TradeAndBusiness #GetInTouch

[Laolu Akande @akandeoj]

Today #InsideSources, has Former Minister & Senator, Dr. Mamora & Mallam Lukman, immediate past APC V-Chair tackling issues including LGAs' emasculation by some Govs. I also raise the urgency required to tackle menace of insecurity, kidnappings especially with ongoing FCT case

[Gbenga Omotayo @MeetGbenga]

Lq

[Pro Boxing Fans @ProBoxingFans]

RD 🔟: Fury nicks the last, but it's not enough on our card.

6-4 Ngannou

#Boxing #FuryNgannou #FuryvsNgannou

[Pro Boxing Fans @ProBoxingFans]

RD 9⃣:

Fury still looking incredibly tentative here and a real lack of urgency.

Surely he needs at least a knockdown here.

6-3 Ngannou

#Boxing #FuryNgannou #FuryvsNgannou

[Pro Boxing Fans @ProBoxingFans]

RD 8⃣:

Big round for Ngannou, who landed several big shots on Fury and appeared to have him hurt once again.

Utter madness

5-3 Ngannou

#Boxing #FuryNgannou #FuryvsNgannou

[Pro Boxing Fans @ProBoxingFans]

RD7⃣: Fury still not looking particularly comfortable, slipping into the ropes and not landing a great deal clean.

Ngannou probably done enough to take that one.

What is happening here?

4-3 Ngannou

#Boxing #FuryNgannou #FuryvsNgannou