#UNGA74: The Shame Of A Response
The 74th United Nations General Assembly has just come and gone, without leaving many traces especially as it regards Nigeria.
Presided over by Nigeria-born Muhammed Bande, the meeting which was focused on climate change and the need to protect the natural environment from the effect of climate change. It was indeed a gathering of world leaders from over 200 countries.
And when it came to conversation about the mainstream issue at stake and for the world leaders in attendance to speak of what is and would be their contributions towards safeguarding the natural environment against the depleting effects of climate change, Nigeria's president, Muhammad Buhari had the fifth slot, just behind that of Turkey, USA, Egypt.
Beyond the contents of the speech of President Buhari at the main session of the UNGA, focus would be made as regards the interactive segment of the meeting on the central discourse, which happened to be a sideline of the whole engagement.
During an interactive session at the event being held in New York, the Nigerian leader was asked to talk about his plans for a resilient future for Nigeria’s young population, but the President shocked the audience when he responded with a speech about climate change.
Hear what President Buhari had to say:
"Your excellencies, Ladies, and gentlemen. I share your sentiments addressed by the Secretary Gen, that the world is on the verge of calamity and catastrophe. Undeniably Climate change is a human-induced phenomenon. It is now imperative that we must step up our collective climate actions in line with the request of the Secretary Gen. It is in this regard that I wish to retract Nigeria’s commitment to its obligations under the various agreements, the aspirations enshrining our national timely contribution and ensure resilient future that may stream climate risk is our decision making."
Indeed Nigerians at home were utterly disappointed by Mr Buhari's response. Beyond been off point, out of place response to a clearly stated question, it brought ridicule to the vast majority of Nigerians, who are intelligent and mentally strong, just like the presiding Muhammed Bande.
Presided over by Nigeria-born Muhammed Bande, the meeting which was focused on climate change and the need to protect the natural environment from the effect of climate change. It was indeed a gathering of world leaders from over 200 countries.
And when it came to conversation about the mainstream issue at stake and for the world leaders in attendance to speak of what is and would be their contributions towards safeguarding the natural environment against the depleting effects of climate change, Nigeria's president, Muhammad Buhari had the fifth slot, just behind that of Turkey, USA, Egypt.
Beyond the contents of the speech of President Buhari at the main session of the UNGA, focus would be made as regards the interactive segment of the meeting on the central discourse, which happened to be a sideline of the whole engagement.
During an interactive session at the event being held in New York, the Nigerian leader was asked to talk about his plans for a resilient future for Nigeria’s young population, but the President shocked the audience when he responded with a speech about climate change.
Hear what President Buhari had to say:
"Your excellencies, Ladies, and gentlemen. I share your sentiments addressed by the Secretary Gen, that the world is on the verge of calamity and catastrophe. Undeniably Climate change is a human-induced phenomenon. It is now imperative that we must step up our collective climate actions in line with the request of the Secretary Gen. It is in this regard that I wish to retract Nigeria’s commitment to its obligations under the various agreements, the aspirations enshrining our national timely contribution and ensure resilient future that may stream climate risk is our decision making."
Indeed Nigerians at home were utterly disappointed by Mr Buhari's response. Beyond been off point, out of place response to a clearly stated question, it brought ridicule to the vast majority of Nigerians, who are intelligent and mentally strong, just like the presiding Muhammed Bande.
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