The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UN General Assembly

  • Nigeria seals affordable HIV prevention drug deal at UN General Assembly

    Nigeria seals affordable HIV prevention drug deal at UN General Assembly

    Nigeria has secured a landmark agreement to drastically cut the cost of a revolutionary HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, paving the way for millions of citizens to access the life-saving medicine and accelerating efforts to end HIV as a public health threat.

    The agreement, according to the Director General (DG) of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, represents a major step toward protecting vulnerable populations and advancing equity in healthcare delivery.

    Dr. Ilori stressed that the agreement underscores Nigeria’s leadership role at the UNGA in shaping global health solutions, while reaffirming its determination to expand access to prevention, strengthen health systems, and accelerate progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.

    The agreement will see to the reduction of the price of the twice-yearly injection from 28,000 to just $40 per person per year. 

    READ ALSO; FG provides clarification on $220 million fine imposed on Meta for data breaches

    Lenacapavir has been shown to be up to 100 per cent effective in preventing new HIV infections.

    The deal that was announced on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Annual Meeting, enabled Nigeria, through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), joined other global leaders in endorsing the breakthrough arrangement, which will extend affordable access to over 100 low- and middle-income countries. 

    Delivering Nigeria’s statement at the event, Dr. Ilori, described the development as historic, saying, “Today marks a milestone in our fight against HIV in Nigeria and globally. 

    “Through this landmark access agreement, we are unlocking affordable access to lenacapavir, a transformational new HIV prevention option that offers longer protection, greater convenience, and renewed hope to millions at risk. 

    “This agreement ensures that this breakthrough innovation does not remain a privilege for the few. It pairs innovation with equity, laying the foundation for broad, long-lasting impact for those who need it most”.

    Nigeria bears the second-largest HIV epidemic in the world, with an estimated 1.8 million people living with the virus. 

    Although prevalence has dropped from around 3 percent in 2012 to 1.3 percent today, the country still records thousands of new infections annually, particularly among young women, adolescents, and key populations. 

    Experts say access to long-acting prevention tools like lenacapavir could significantly reduce the infection rate and sustain progress toward the global 95-95-95 targets.

    The federal government has also been strengthening prevention strategies through awareness campaigns, condom distribution, expanded HIV testing, and integration of services into primary healthcare centres. 

    Programmes such as prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) have helped cut transmission rates at birth, while youth-focused initiatives continue to target new infections in high-risk groups.

    The milestone price reduction was achieved through collaboration with UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (DRL), and the Gates Foundation.

    Nigeria’s participation at the global forum, according to public health experts, highlights the country’s resolve to harness innovation, deepen global partnerships, and secure a healthier and more resilient future for its people.

  • Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to 80th UN General Assembly

    Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to 80th UN General Assembly

    Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The Assembly, which runs from September 22- 28 will feature global leaders commemorating the UN’s 80th anniversary with high-level debates and special events.

    According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima is expected to join world leaders at the commemorative session on Monday, September 22, and take part in the high-level general debates between September 23 and 28.

    On behalf of President Tinubu, the Vice President will deliver Nigeria’s national statement on Wednesday, September 24, between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. New York time. 

    He will also attend a special Climate Summit for Heads of State and Government hosted by the UN Secretary-General on the same day, where Nigeria is expected to unveil its new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

    Shettima is also billed to participate in the high-level roundtable of the Global Champions on Adequate and Affordable Housing, convened by the President of Kenya on September 24. 

    He will also hold a series of bilateral meetings and engagements on the sidelines of the Assembly.

    Following the UNGA, the Vice President will proceed to Frankfurt, Germany, for consultations with officials of Deutsche Bank before returning to Nigeria.

  • Buhari leads delegation to 73rd UN General Assembly

    President Muhammadu Buhari will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, said yesterday.

    The 73rd UNGA will begin September 18 at the UN Headquarters in New York and the General Debate will hold from September 25 to October 1.

    Speaking in Abuja at a news conference on the 73rd UNGA, Onyeama said Buhari  would use the opportunity to assert Nigeria’s position on global issues.

    He said: “It is an opportunity for him to assert Nigeria’s position globally and to put forward our ideas and our vision going forward as a global community.

    “The President will address the 73rd Session of the High-Level General Debate of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on September 25.

    “He will deliver Nigeria’s National Statement on the first day of the general debate of the General Assembly high-level events.”

    The President has been placed as the number 20 on the list of the speakers out of the 193 world leaders that would address the Assembly.

    He would deliver the address to the Assembly on the first day between 8.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. (between 1am and 2am local time).

    Onyeama said the theme for this year’s UNGA is: “Making the United Nations relevant to all people: Global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable development.”

    According to him, the President will be leading Nigeria delegation with the numbers of Ministers and heads of agencies and permanent secretary to the event.

    “Of course, this is the global meeting of heads of state in the world. It is extremely important and it is a rare opportunity for Nigeria as a country to engage with the other countries of the world.” he said.

    Onyeama said the 73rd UNGA will avail Nigeria and other UN member states the opportunity to engage, interface and share best practices toward reaching common understanding and consensus on key issues of global significance.

    According to him, the President will hold bilateral meetings with the UN Secretary-General, some African and other world leaders, as well as few strategic partners during this period.

    He said: “Nigeria’s expected outcome at the 73rd UNGA should be to achieve a well-planned, synchronised and successful participation of Nigeria at the 73rd Session, under the guidance of Mr. President.

    “It will be weighed against the back drop of externalisation of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through effective engagement.”

  • Russia, Vatican disagree with Trump over Jerusalem

    Russia, Vatican disagree with Trump over Jerusalem

    Russia and the Vatican disagree with the decision of President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv, Alexander Avdeyev, the Russian ambassador to the Vatican City has said.

    Avdeyev recalled that Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, in one of his recent statements said that the status quo of Jerusalem, which is a place of pilgrimage and worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims, should be respected.

    “This is a city of three Abrahamic religions and it should not be politicised by recognition as a capital.

    “I draw attention to the fact that this statement was made by the Pope, who usually expresses his position very carefully in order not to offend anyone.

    “So we can see a clear disagreement with the U.S. decision here. We have the similar position,” Avdeyev told Sputnik.

    On December 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and instructed the State Department to launch the process of moving the U.S. Embassy, which is currently located in Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem.

    The step has prompted criticism from a number of states, first and foremost Middle Eastern states and Palestine, and triggered a wave of protests in the region.

    On December 7, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Jerusalem’s legal status.

    The document called on UN member states to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the city.

    The diplomat also said that Russia and the Vatican share similar views on the world and the threats posed to it in the 21st century.

    “We have much in common in our vision of the threats and dangers of the 21st century. This is an important issue that unites us.

    “First of all, I speak about the threat of any terrorism, criminal, religious or separatist one. The second threat is the weakening of non-proliferation regimes.

    “Of particular concern is the drug trafficking and the separation into rich and poor in the world,” Avdeyev said.

    The Russian diplomat added that the two states also had a common view on the threats posed by social and economic inequality and terrorism, which were behind migration.

    According to the diplomat, unregulated globalisation that was closely tied with neoliberal values could result in “a significant deformation of the civil societies.”

    Avdeyev added that the two states were supportive of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and backed the negotiating process and dialogue as a path toward these goals.

    The ambassador also said that the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church were concerned over the destruction of the moral and ethical values of the Christian civilisation.

    (Sputnik/NAN)

  • Africa committed to nuclear weapons-free world- Nigeria

    Africa committed to nuclear weapons-free world- Nigeria

    Nigeria has pledged Africa’s support to the non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction mass (WMD), saying a world free of nuclear weapons is the ideal society it envisaged.

    Prof. Tijani Bande, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered this position on behalf of the African Group at the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly General debate on  disarmament and international security.

    The Nigerian envoy said: “The continued existence and possession of nuclear weapons do not guarantee security but an affirmation of the risks of their potential use.

    “Our world, including the outer space, must be free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

    “It is in this context that the African Group stresses the need for the nuclear weapons States to cease their further modernisation, upgrading, refurbishment, or extending the lives of their nuclear weapons and related facilities”.

    Bande said the African Group sought more profound and concrete measures in pursuit of the objective of nuclear disarmament, as the international community awaits the realisation of the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons

    The Nigerian Ambassador said: “Seven decades have passed since the world witnessed the first ever use of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

    “The devastations and impact caused by the twin attacks continue to be borne, not only by the Hibakushas but also by all peoples around the globe, including the impact on the environment.

    “Therefore, the time has come for the world to speak with unanimity towards ensuring a world free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction.

    “It is also the moment to raise our voices against the slow pace and the lack of good faith and commitment on the part of nuclear weapon States to dismantle these weapons.”

    According to him, the threat posed to humanity by the continued existence of nuclear weapon is real.

    “In this regard, the African Group insists on the implementation of all agreed measures and undertakings by the nuclear weapons States in the context of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

    Bande said the African Group re-affirmed the central role of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the consolidation of the NPT, as well as in their contributions to addressing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation across all regions of the world.

    The Nigerian envoy said: “In this context, the African Group remains committed to the Treaty of Pelindaba.

    “Among other things, the Treaty re-affirms the status of Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zone and provides a shield for the African territory.

    “This includes  preventing the stationing of nuclear explosive devices on the continent and prohibiting the testing of those weapons on the entire space that constitutes the African continent.”

    The African Group also emphasised the need for humanitarian considerations in the context of all deliberations on nuclear weapons.

    He particularly expressed the serious concern of the Group over the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use or detonation of nuclear weapons, either by accident or as a deliberate action.

    He said the African Group continued to call on all States, particularly nuclear weapons States, to have in their consideration, the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of these weapons.

    Bande said the humanitarian consequences included “on human health, the environment and vital economic resources.

    “It is in this context that the Group strongly supports all efforts aimed at the total elimination and de-legitimisation of nuclear weapons, including the NPT.

    “The African Group remains deeply concerned over the illicit trade, transfer, manufacture, possession and circulation of small arms and light weapons, their excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread in many regions of the world, particularly on the continent of Africa.

    “The Group remains committed to the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) in All Its Aspects,” Bande said.

  • Kaduna launches SDGs progress report at UN

    Kaduna launches SDGs progress report at UN

    The Kaduna State Government has presented its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report 2017 at the UN, becoming the first state in Nigeria to launch local SDGs data and strategy development for implementation.

    Deputy Governor Barnabas Bala, said on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly, that the report highlighted key policy actions and progress being made so far towardbachieving some of the SDGs.

    He added that it identified the baseline status of the SDGs in the State, highlighted key policy actions, progress being made and concluded with actions for the state to consider going forward.

    “The Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) are an integral part of Kaduna State’s efforts to improve the livelihoods of the State’s residents.

    “By providing comprehensive targets for all aspects of development and coordinating the efforts of all actors. Kaduna will only achieve its potentials if it achieves the SDGs by the target date of 2030.

    “To this end, the Kaduna State Development Plan 2016 to 2020 has fully integrated the SDGs and specifies concerted policy actions to help achieve each goal,” he said.

    Bala said the goal of the State Development Plan was to achieve inclusive economic growth and socio-economic transformation that translates into substantial improvements in the quality of lives of citizens, through higher productivity and competitiveness.

    He said: “The very first step on the journey to sustainable development has therefore been to generate sufficient data – a baseline to understand where Kaduna State stands in relations to the goals.

    “This is to help guide policy interventions to target the deepest and most persistent pockets of poverty.

    “The Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics was given the mandate to generate the State’s statistics with the passage of the Kaduna Bureau of Statistics and Statistical System Law of 2013.

    “In 2015, the State Executive Council declared a data revolution and since then has invested heavily in establishing the State statistical system and is climbing a steep learning-curve.

    “To fill the gaping hole in the State’s data, the Bureau has conducted a range of innovative new surveys and institutionalised the role of data in planning and monitoring across government.”

    The event was attended by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Aisha El-RufaiEl-Rufai; and the state’s Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Muhammad Abdullahi.

  • UNGA: Nigeria signs Nuclear Weapons prohibition treaty

    UNGA: Nigeria signs Nuclear Weapons prohibition treaty

    Nigeria has signed the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty, joining dozens of other countries that signed the treaty to ban nuclear weapons amid tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, signed the treaty on behalf of Nigeria on Wednesday at the UN headquarters on the sidelines of the High-level UN General Assembly.

    After the signing ceremony, Onyeama told correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nigeria was in support of the weapons-free world.

    He said “right from the early 60s, Nigeria has been a strong advocate of nuclear weapons prohibition and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

    “You may recall in the early 60s when France tested an atom bomb-related device in the Sahara and Nigeria cut diplomatic relations with France at the time.

    “Nigeria has always been a strong advocate of de-nuclearisation of the world. We are one of the main movers of this treaty.”

    The minister said it was unfortunate that countries with nuclear weapons saw them as deterrence and safeguarded their security.

    According to him, it will take great effort to really push and get a larger number of countries to accede to the treaty, especially nuclear weapons states.

    Nuclear Weapons
    Nuclear Weapons

    He urged countries that signed the treaty, Civil Society Organisations and intergovernmental organisations to convince others to accede to the treaty.

    The foreign affairs minister stressed that “the point made was that even if those nuclear weapons states were
    not ready to sign, they should at least take measures to ensure there was no accidental use or deliberate use of nuclear weapons.”

    The treaty would enter into force 90 days after 50 countries ratified it, while Nigeria was due to deposit its ratification soon.

    The UN had in July adopted Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty in a majority vote by 122 countries, leading toward total elimination of nuclear weapons, while 60 countries boycotted.

    With the adoption of the treaty, nuclear weapons now joined all other weapons of mass destruction
    already prohibited.

    Nigeria, together with Ireland, Austria, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa played leadership roles in bringing forward the UN resolution convening the Diplomatic Conference that negotiated the ground-breaking treaty.

    Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, said it was sad that “there were countries that still have nuclear weapons and refused to give them up”.

    Bande pointed out that resources spent in maintaining nuclear weapons could better be used in other development projects.

    According to him, those regions with nuclear weapons has continued to be unstable, citing India and Pakistan and Israel and their neighbours.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said as he opened the treaty for signing “because there remain some 15,000 nuclear weapons in existence.

    “We cannot allow these doomsday weapons to endanger our world and our children’s future.”

    U.S. President Donald Trump told the 193-member UN General Assembly on Tuesday that if threatened, the U.S. would “totally destroy” North Korea and its 26 million people.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, in his address to the UN, said the most pressing threat to international peace and security was accelerated nuclear weapons development programme by North Korea.

    Buhari, therefore, urged that necessary pressure and diplomatic efforts be brought to bear on North Korea to accept a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

    “Nigeria proposes a strong UN delegation to urgently engage the North Korean Leader. The delegation, led by the Security Council, should include members from all the regions,” Buhari said.

  • Macron to address terrorism, climate at UN

    Macron to address terrorism, climate at UN

    French President Emmanuel Macron will give his first address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, with terrorism and climate change as his top priorities.

    Elysee officials were tight-lipped about the likely contents of Macron’s speech ahead of his travel.

    But his agenda included a security-focused meeting on Monday evening with fellow heads of state from the Sahel region of West Africa, where French troops are supporting local forces against militants.

    Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May, as well as Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni would host a meeting on preventing terrorist use of the internet.

    The French president, who took office in May, would also open a summit on a French-backed proposal for global pact on environment, aimed at creating binding international code of environmental law.

    French officials say Macron will also discuss the Syrian conflict with leaders of the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council – Britain, China, Russia and the U.S.

  • Buhari to address UN General Assembly today

    Buhari to address UN General Assembly today

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will today deliver Nigeria’s National Statement on the first day of the general debate of the one-week 72nd Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) high-level events.

    He has been listed as the eighth speaker of the 193 Head of States expected to address the General Debate of the General Assembly.

    The theme for this year’s debate is: “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet”.

    The president will also join other world leaders at the welcoming reception to be hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and hold a bilateral meeting with the UN chief.

    Aside other high-level engagement, he will have a lunch meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, along with other world leaders.

    Nigeria will also participate in high-level meetings on ‘Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse: Building momentum for change’, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, a High Level Event organised by AU under its theme of the Year: “Roadmap on the demographic dividend: From commitment to action”, among others.

    It is expected that the president and members of his delegation will project Nigeria as a strong moral force and responsible member of the international community.

    Nigeria’s commitment to global peace, security and development will also be reaffirmed, with the need for increased international cooperation in the fight corruption.

    Other priorities for the Nigerian delegation at 72nd UN General Assembly include strengthening human rights institutions, the rule of law, support for internally displaced persons arising from Boko Haram activities and recent flooding and mitigating the effects of climate change.

    The Nigerian delegation is expected to also canvass the support of UN member states for the Buhari administration’s efforts towards combating illicit financial flows to foster sustainable development.

    The president arrived in New York yesterday to join other world leaders for the one week 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly.

    The President was accompanied by Governors Abdul’aziz Yari (Zamfara), David Umahi (Ebonyi) and Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN (Ondo).

    He was received at the JF Kennedy Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande.

    The president was thereafter, welcomed at about 8:30 p.m. at his lodge by the Ministers of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi, Education, Adamu Adamu, and Industry, Trade and Investment counterpart, Okechukwu Enelamah.

  • Buhari is healthy to lead UNGA delegation – Onyeama

    Buhari is healthy to lead UNGA delegation – Onyeama

    President Muhammadu Buhari is in excellent shape and form to lead the Nigerian delegation to the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Federal Government has said.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who declared this at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York, said Buhari was “now firing up”.

    The Presidency had said that Buhari would depart Abuja on Sunday for New York to participate at the high-level events.

    Onyeama said speculations in some quarters about the president’s health and his ability to withstand the rigours of the high-level event scheduled from Sept. 19 to 25, was unnecessary.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is in very good health to lead the UN General Assembly delegation.

    “The president is in excellent form in every way possible. We had the Federal Executive Council Meeting on Wednesday that lasted very long beyond the usual.

    “He presided over the Federal Executive Council meeting throughout. He’s now firing up and very fantastic,” Onyeama said.

    According to him, there is no doubting the fact that the president would make the trip to the U.S. and participate in all the events scheduled for the country.

    The minister stressed: “He (Buhari) will make the trip; you know the buzz word in the world today is ‘fake news’.

    “So I think it’s a reality of modern journalism, may be because the internet, the cyber face makes journalist of everybody.

    “So all kinds of news filters through but the reality is that Mr President will be here. He’s in excellent health and he’s going to be leading a very strong high-level Nigerian delegation.

    Onyeama said that aside other high-level engagement, Buhari would meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to further strengthen the bilateral tie between the two countries.

    The Nigerian leader would hold a lunch meeting with Trump along with other world leaders.

    “The relations are good, so we just hope they would continue to be good and by all accounts, we are going in the right direction.

    “What would be discussed are some of the global issues – trade issues with Africa, conflict in Africa, global conflict will also certainly be discussed,” the minister said.

    The high point of Buhari’s activities would be his participation in the General Debate during which he would deliver Nigeria’s National Statement on Tuesday, the first day of the general debate. (NAN)