We didn't sponsor all Nigerians to COP28 in Dubai, FG dismisses report

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The Presidency has dismissed as untrue social media reports that the Federal Government sponsored all Nigerian delegates at the ongoing 28th Convention of Parties on Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, in a report denied that all Nigerians at the event were there at behest of the Federal Government, saying President Bola Tinubu and other senior officials of his administration were at the global event for serious business, not mere jamboree.

Indeed, over 97,000 people from more than 100 countries across the world are participating at the summit.

Data from the organisers showed that 1,411 Nigerians registered to participate in the event.

However, Ajayi explained that, “In Nigeria like so many other countries, interested parties comprising government officials from both the federal and sub-national governments, business leaders, environmentalists, climate activists, and journalists are present in Dubai.

“Also participating are agencies of government such as the NNPC and its subsidiaries, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, NIMASA, and NDDC. Many youth organisations from Nigeria especially from the Northern and Niger Delta regions whose lives and livelihoods are most impacted by desert encroachment and hydrocarbon activities are also represented.

“The President of Ijaw Youth Council, Jonathan Lokpobiri, leads a pan-Ijaw delegation of more than 15 people who registered as parties from Nigeria. Among delegates from Nigeria are also over 20 journalists from various media houses.

“Their participation is very important. It is not for jamboree as it is being mischievously represented on social media. It is important to state here that delegates from all countries whether from government, private sector, media, and civil society groups attend COP summits and conferences as parties and the number of attendees is registered against their countries of origin.

“This does not mean that they are sponsored or funded by the government. It must be said also that the fact that people registered to attend a conference does not mean everyone that registered is physically present.”

Specifically, he stated that Tinubu had also taken the advantage of the event to seal important deals and new commitments on various aspects of the economy with many countries and global institutions.