Interrogating President Tinubu’s UNGA Speech

 By Jideofor Adibe

On September 18, 2023, President Bola Tinubu gave a speech from what could be called the grandest stage of them all – the United Nations General Assembly in New York. It was his maiden speech on such a stage. For a first speech at the UN, I feel Tinubu performed above expectation. Overall, I would score him a ‘B’. There is however still a big room for improvement.

*Tinubu

The speech highlighted five themes- (a) the need for global institution and other nations to see Africa as a priority; (b) an affirmation of democratic governance as the “best guarantor of sovereign will”; (c) the challenges posed by violent extremism; (d) Problems of illicit mining and pilfering by extra-African powers and companies; and (e) the threats posed by climate change. 

Bola Tinubu’s UN Fantasies

 By Casmir Igbokwe

The majority of Nigerians are in agreement that President Bola Tinubu made a fantastic speech at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last week. Some sound bites from his speech made many Nigerians proud and projected his speech writer as a candidate eminently qualified for promotion.

*Tinubu at UNGA 2023

Like a motivational speaker, our President intoned, “To keep faith with the tenets of this world body and the theme of this year’s Assembly, the poverty of nations must end. The pillage of one nation’s resources by the overreach of firms and people of stronger nations must end. The will of the people must be respected…” Good talk, Mr. President!