Just In: Tinubu prunes FG delegation to UNGA, bars uninvited govt officials from event

• Tinubu also ordered the ministry of foreign Affairs to halt the processing of visas for government officials who have no business at the annual meeting
• Tinubu will be speaking with the United States President, Joe Biden, on the sideline of the event

President Bola Tinubu has trimmed the number of federal government officials that will follow him to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

This is as he ordered the ministry of foreign Affairs to halt the processing of visas for government officials who have no business at the annual meeting.

The development is contained in a statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity.

According to him, the move was in line “with a broader effort to cut down the cost of governance in Nigeria”.

He also disclosed that government officials without proof of direct participation in UNGA’s official schedule of activities have been barred from making the trip

The 78th session of the UNGA will open on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu will be speaking with the United States President, Joe Biden, on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

This follows Tinubu’s acceptance of an invitation extended to him by his American counterpart.

The development is sequel to a meeting between Tinubu and US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee.

Aguri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday.