- President Bola Tinubu jetted off to the United Arab Emirates this week for a climate summit alongside 1,400 delegates from Nigeria.
- However, eyebrows were raised as the president’s son, Seyi, and media personality Toke Makinwa, who hold no official positions, made the cut, sparking a heated reaction among Nigerians
The inclusion of notable figures such as Toke Makinwa, IBD Dende, and Seyi Tinubu as mere “item 7” in a list of 1,411 delegates sponsored by President Bola Tinubu for the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai has left Nigerians disgruntled.
COP28 also known as 28th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC is being hosted by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is billed to run from 30 November to 12 December.
Today, on December 2nd, 2023, Toke Makinwa posted a video on her verified Instagram page, capturing her attendance at COP28. She pledged to keep her fans and followers in the loop, promising updates as events unfold during the summit.
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While other nations dispatch experts in climate-related fields, Nigeria’s delegation, led by Tinubu, sparks controversy by including Toke Makinwa from the entertainment industry. Critics argue that such choices erode the credibility of Nigeria’s representation at international events.
Critics voice apprehensions over allocating public funds for what they deem frivolous and politically driven decisions, condemning the perceived misappropriation of taxpayers’ money for political agendas.
Nigerians demand transparency and accountability, urging politicians to prioritize qualified individuals capable of making substantial contributions to climate change discussions.
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The UN said at least 1,411 delegates attended from Nigeria. Of these, at least 589 people followed the president directly to the conference, including cabinet ministers and their aides. Civil servants are also on the list, including some officials whose purviews did not cover climate policy, like an interior ministry aide in charge of personnel management.
President Tinubu had in 2022 vowed not to cooperate with Western emission policies because of Nigeria’s underdevelopment, said the developed countries should first give money to Africans before expecting any allyship in emission cuts.
The president is expected to deliver a national statement at the world leaders’ summit highlighting Nigeria’s stance on various thematic issues, including renewable energy and climate financing.
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