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Shettima arrives New York for 79th UNGA

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has arrived in New York to represent Nigeria at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), said this in a statement on Monday.

According to Nkwocha, Shettima touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York in the early hours of Monday.

He said on arrival, the vice-president was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; and Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani.

Others were the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa; Nigerian diplomats, UN officials and many others.

Shettima, as directed by President Bola Tinubu, would lead Nigeria’s delegation to this year’s UNGA.

He said the vice-president would deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in various high-level meetings.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 79th session of the UNGA marks a crucial milestone in the global effort to accelerate progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The highly anticipated Summit of the Future, held during UNGA, underscores the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation.

It id to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while also tackling the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

The UN Department of Global Communications will hold its flagship SDG Media Zone during the high-level week 23 – 27 September, with impactful in-depth interviews and dialogues on global issues that matter to people everywhere.

The Heads of State and Government will gather at UN Headquarters in New York on 22-23 Sept. to address the critical challenges and gaps in global governance exposed by recent global shocks.

The summit aims to reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Charter while enhancing cooperation and laying the foundations for a reinvigorated multilateral system.

The summit will result in a negotiated Pact for the Future, an action-oriented document aimed to bolster global cooperation and adapt to current challenges effectively for the benefit of all and for future generations.

In addition, the Secretary-General of the United Nations is convening the Summit of the Future Action Days on 20 and 21 September to generate additional opportunities for the engagement of all the actors. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Sports

Golf: Iyene’s exploits at St. Lawrence University excites Runsewe

By Victor Okoye

Olusegun Runsewe, President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), has commended Nigeria’s female teenage golfer, Iyene Essien, for her exploits at the St. Lawrence University Fall Invitational in Canton, New York, U.S.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Essien, a first-year Electrical Engineering student of Union College, Schenectady, New York, had a record-setting weekend to start her collegiate career at the SLU Fall Invitational.

This was after she carded rounds of 70 and 81 to earn medalist honours with a programme-record two-day score of 151.

She smashed the school record by five strokes with her two-under 70 in her collegiate debut on Saturday, carding three birdies, an eagle, and no holes higher than bogey.

Facing incredibly difficult conditions, Essien carved up the course with the first sub-par round in Union golf history, surpassing the previous record of 75 set by current senior Liz Bentsianov on Sept. 17, 2022 at the tournament.

The 18-year-old carded an eagle on the par-five 11th to go with three birdies and three bogies in her collegiate debut, carding dual nines of 35 on the way to her record-setting score.

She followed up with an 81 on Sunday to break the school two-day scoring record and post a four-stroke victory.

It was only the third individual medalist honour in programme history and the first at an event with more than three teams.

Her effort ensured that she led the Union College women’s golf team to a third-place finish at the season-opening tournament, held on Saturday and Sunday at Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course.

Her excellent performance also saw her earn the Union College Women’s Golf Performer of the Week award and three more earning spots on the weekly honour roll.

Runsewe, while commending Essien, a product of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, on Wednesday, described her accomplishments as an inspiration to the younger generation.

He added that she was an ambassador of Nigeria’s grassroots golf development.

He said her exploits, while in college, was a fulcrum of great possibilities and renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.

The NGF President said the success story of Essien was the motivating factor behind his desire to ensure that more talents were discovered at the grassroots in the country.

“Under my leadership as the NGF President, I have always emphasised the need to concentrate on grassroots development of the sport.

“This is why we have been able to build the Golf and Health Signature, a hub for the growth and development of young talents in the country.

“This is the way other advanced countries grew the game,” he said.

He said other countries started well and early, “and that’s exactly what we are also trying to achieve here at the Golf and Health Signature.

“These young talents are the future of the sport, and in a few years to come, they will represent Nigeria in different circuits around the world.”

He also commended the efforts of Essien’s parents who committed their time, energy and resources to seeing her through the most crucial part of her golfing career, while also ensuring that she gets the best education.

He urged other parents to borrow a leaf from Essien’s story and encourage their children to start playing golf at an early age.

He also assured of the NGF’s continued support for young golfers to enable them reach their full potential.

The NGF boss also called for more sponsorship by corporate bodies, private institutions and philanthropists to support grassroots development of the sport in the country. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko