President Bola Tinubu has directed that only authorised officials with justifiable reasons should attend the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

The 79th session of the UN General Assembly, set to commence on September 10, 2024, will cover a wide range of global issues, including sustainable development, economic growth, and international cooperation.

The meeting’s provisional agenda seen by THE WHISTLER comprises 178 items, including climate change, human rights, peacekeeping operations, and international security, among others.

The directive, aimed at reducing unnecessary expenditures, was announced by the president’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a retreat at the State House on Saturday.

During the one-day retreat organised for heads of government agencies under the supervision of the State House management, Gbajabiamila said the directive was in line with the president’s commitment to prudent resource management and reduction of overall cost of governance.

According to him, the upcoming 79th session of the UN General Assembly will be a test of President Tinubu’s policy directive on reduction in cost of governance.

”I just discussed with the President this afternoon. In the next few weeks, we are going to see a test of this policy during UNGA in New York,” he said.

Gbajabiamila recalled the recent protests against economic hardship and high cost of governance, noting that “Everyone is waiting to see if Nigeria, as in the past, will send the ‘largest delegation’ to UNGA.

”From experience, we know that some individuals use the opportunity of such international meetings to go about their personal businesses.

”I have received a directive from Mr. President that this time, we will be strict. If you have no business at the UN General Assembly, do not step foot in America, and this is a directive from Mr. President,” Gbajabiamila said.

The Chief of Staff stressed that all heads of agencies must comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would not be tolerated.

The retreat, themed “Strengthening Institutional Mechanism for Effective Delivery,” was an avenue to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, particularly those under the State House.

Gbajabiamiala urged the State House management and chief executives of agencies to lead by example by ensuring compliance with statutes, laws, regulations, and various policies designed to enhance governance.

”We must demonstrate excellence in our compliance with the Public Procurement Act, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, the Finance Act, and various appropriation acts in operation.

”Compliance with the civil service rules and the scheme of service guidelines, especially regarding recruitment, promotion and presidential approvals is also non-negotiable,” he added.