Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb Jimoh Ibrahim, on Wednesday, said President Bola Tinubu has confirmed his attendance at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, scheduled for September.
This was as a source with knowledge of the discussions further told our correspondent that a chance meeting with United States President Donald Trump appears likely, as Tinubu is expected to be seated just a few seats away from the American president on the front row of the General Assembly hall.
Ibrahim revealed this when he briefed State House correspondents after meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The former lawmaker had visited the Villa on Tuesday and returned on Wednesday to conclude discussions with the President.
He said, “The President has generously agreed to attend the UNGA meeting of the United Nations.
“It is significant because Mr President has a speech to give to the whole world about the reform success in Nigeria, and that has been slated for September.
“So Nigeria will be effectively present at UNGA.”
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He disclosed that Tinubu’s address was scheduled for around 10:45 a.m. New York time, approximately 3:45 p.m. Nigeria time, a scheduling he said meant Nigerians would be able to watch the address live in their waking hours.
“That will be a time when Nigeria will be awake, so everybody will listen and see live what the President will be delivering,” he said.
Responding to a question by our correspondent on a potential encounter with Trump, Ibrahim said, “I won’t be able to tell you that there will be a meeting, but I can tell you clearly that President Tinubu will be sitting very, very close to Donald Trump in the front row of the United Nations General Assembly.
“That you can get from me. Don’t ask me how that was arranged, but Mr President of Nigeria will be sitting in the front row.”
However, a source familiar with the seating arrangements told The PUNCH that the proximity may lead to a chance meeting between the two leaders who have not met publicly before.
“Trump will see him, and they will meet during the UN Summit because he will be sitting two seats away from him on the front row,” the source said.
In his address, Ibrahim said Tinubu will attend several side event meetings already lined up for him at the event.
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