By Obiabin Onukwugha
Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has clarified why President Bola Tinubu skipped his speaking slot at the ongoing United Nations climate change conference (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate (UAE) on Friday.
Tinubu was billed to address the conference on Friday, alongside other heads of state, but did not. This raised questions about the country’s position at the conference.
But giving clarifications, the Minister said Nigeria was tired of official and fancy statements and is now more action-oriented.
He said the government wanted a change of attitude towards the conference, away from colourful speeches which are repeated every year with very little progress made.
Premium Times quoted the Minister as saying, “The speeches, to be honest, as good as they may be, are mostly a repeat of pledges or promises and Nigeria is saying enough is enough, it’s time for action.
“The president was in the hall, he waited, he was going to give the speech, he listened and he decided, perhaps, that was not the time to give the speech. There were other engagements that he needed to be involved in that would be more productive.”
Speaking on Nigeria’s engagement in the ongoing conference, Mr Tuggar said Nigeria is taking the lead in the behind-the-scenes negotiations.
He said this is to ensure that developed countries, who are responsible for most of the emissions causing global warming, compensate developing countries in terms of loss and damage.
He also noted that the ongoing climate change conversations tally with the Nigeria’s 4D foreign approach, including migration, and development, amongst others.
