The Nigerian Government has pulled out of the ongoing World Economic Forum in Cape Town, South Africa.
This was disclosed by Personal Assistant to the President on new media, Mr Bashir Ahmad.
The government pulled out over the fresh xenophobic attacks in the country.
Mr Bashir Ahmad in his tweet on Wednesday further stressed that “VP Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was to represent Nigeria at the World Economic Forum which is currently holding in South Africa but called it off in reaction to the gruesome attacks on Nigerians”.
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Yes sir, Nigerian government has boycotted the World Economic Forum holding in Cape Town, South Africa, but some individuals from Nigeria including a former Minister are attending on their own. https://t.co/txMvLee3L3
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) September 4, 2019
God bless you Tiwa, VP Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was to represent Nigeria at the World Economic Forum currently holding in South Africa but called it off in reaction to these gruesome attacks on Nigerians. #SayNoToXenophobia https://t.co/qW2XUKCPx6
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) September 4, 2019
For the love of your people! Surprised to see some Nigerian ‘experts’ in everything governance who spend most of their time lecturing the Gov’t on empathy and the art of prioritizing national interest over individual benefits still went ahead to attend the summit. #StopXenophobia https://t.co/qW2XUKCPx6
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) September 4, 2019
Nigeria joins the list of a number of African countries whose leaders would not be attending the forum.
Earlier reports had it that the Presidents of the DR Congo, Rwanda and Malawi had withdrawn from the forum owing to the violence recorded in the country this week but the South African Department of International relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has denied this.
In a statement, the department insists that all the leaders who have confirmed attendance will be doing so.
DIRCO also says that contrary to reports, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame had declined the invitation because of other pressing engagements while the other two leaders mentioned never responded to the invitation in the first place .
