By FORTUNE ABANG

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, scheduled to hold from Feb. 14 to Feb. 15.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of the ministry.

The vice-president was received on arrival at Bole International Airport by Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr Belete Mola, and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Berhanu Tsegaye.

Also present to welcome him were Tuggar, Head of the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa, and other senior government officials.

Tuggar revealed Nigeria recorded significant diplomatic and institutional achievements, that consolidated its leadership role in advancing Africa’s economic integration.

Speaking on peace, security, and democratic governance at the just concluded 48th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, Tuggar said a major highlight of the meeting was the Council’s agreement to grant Nigeria a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank.

He described this as a landmark development underscoring Nigeria’s strategic role in shaping Africa’s financial architecture.

According to him, the decision also extends Nigeria’s representation to the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute, the precursor to the establishment of the African Central Bank.

He noted that these developments affirmed Nigeria’s technical capacity, economic significance, and commitment to advancing Africa’s monetary integration agenda.

In the area of peace and security, he said the session witnessed the successful election of collectively agreed candidates presented by the Economic Community of West African States (including Nigeria) to the Peace and Security Council.

According to him, the outcome reflects strong cohesion and unity among ECOWAS Member States and their shared commitment to stability across the continent.

Tuggar added that Nigeria also demonstrated leadership in strengthening democratic governance by organising a Ministerial High-Level Panel Discussion on Regional Partnerships for Democracy.

The event was attended by ministers, senior officials, and delegates from across Africa and the international community.

The panel, he said, facilitated constructive dialogue on strengthening democratic institutions, fostering inclusive governance, and enhancing regional collaboration.

He reaffirmed that Nigeria’s engagements at the session reflected its commitment to the ideals of the African Union, particularly in promoting economic integration, institutional development, peace, security, and democratic governance.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains dedicated to working collaboratively with Member States and regional bodies to advance Africa’s shared prosperity and sustainable development,” he stated. (NAN)