By Kachi Ekile
President Bola Tinubu has instructed his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila to cut the cost of governance and reduce the size of Nigeria’s official delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings in New York, United States.
Gbajabiamila revealed the President’s directive on Saturday during a one-day retreat with the theme ‘Strengthening Institutional Mechanism for Effective Delivery’.
The retreat was organised by the State House management for heads of government agencies under its supervision in Abuja.
Speaking in a statement released by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, the Chief of Staff disclosed that Tinubu’s decision to reduce Nigeria’s delegation to the 79th session of UNGA in September was part of the administration’s commitment to ensure prudent management of resources and reduce the cost of governance.
“I just discussed this 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.
“During recent protests, there were talks about a reduction in the cost of governance. Everyone is waiting to see if Nigeria, as in the past, will send the ‘largest delegation’ to UNGA.
“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.