The United Nations General Assembly President, Dennis Francis, has said that ending the war in Ukraine, promoting climate action and ramping up efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals topped the agenda of the High-Level Week.

Francis said this while briefing journalists on Thursday in New York on the outcome of the 78th general debate of Heads of State of Government from the 193 countries that comprise the UN, which ended on Tuesday.He said that the 78th session of the UN General Assembly marked the first time the gathering has been fully in-person since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.Francis said 189 leaders spoke from the rostrum, “an impressive increase indeed over recent years.” Twenty-one were women, or one less than the previous year.

The Assembly President convened the second annual platform of women leaders at the outset of the High-Level Week, which ran from 19 to 26 September.  The focus was on the role of women in achieving the SDGs, which aim to deliver a more just, equitable and greener world by 2030.

“These leaders showcased why it is so important to recognise and elevate the talents and perspectives of half of humanity in tackling today’s challenges,” he said.

The general debate was marked by calls for resolving conflicts in Africa, the Middle East and Ukraine.

“I was unequivocal when speaking to the membership that we need peace, Ukraine needs peace, and that this war must stop, must end,” he said.

Francis added that the call for stronger climate action also resonated across the General Assembly Hall, in his meetings with leaders, and at two high-level meetings on climate mobility and sea level rise.

Meanwhile, the SDG Summit and resulting political declaration marked the start of a new phase of accelerated progress to achieve the 17 goals by their deadline.

Other high-level meetings focused on Financing for Development and health issues, with leaders approving the first-ever UN political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

Governments also reaffirmed the right to universal health coverage, set targets to stamp out tuberculosis by the end of the decade, and underlined the need for “serious action” to eliminate nuclear weapons which he called “a moral duty of our time”.

Francis also answered journalists’ questions on other issues of global concern raised during the general debate.

These include reform of the UN Security Council, whose five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – possess the right of veto, allowing them to block any resolution or decision.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday argued that African States must first be peaceful to ensure coordinated efforts to maximize the myriad developmental opportunities presented to her.

Therefore, he pledged Nigeria’s support to the African Union’s efforts to resolve the pockets of violence and instability in states such as Sudan, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, amongst others.

“You can call me at any time and we will discuss the peace and stability of AU member states…We must be peaceful to take maximum advantage of the developmental opportunities presented to Africa in this era,” Tinubu told his Comoran counterpart also serving as Chairperson of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, when both leaders conferred on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Monday titled ‘President Tinubu to African Union: Nigeria is behind you and we will not let you fail to secure stability and prosperity for Africa.’

Tinubu asserted that the AU is strategically positioned to secure consensus positions for the continent on economic and socio-political relations with the world.

He said “There is nothing that can bring development and prosperity, outside of embracing freedom and constitutional order.

“It is a critical hallmark of sustainable development. We appreciate that the AU is working hard to bring about peace in the Sahel and is actively negotiating between the warring factions in Sudan.

“Peace in Sudan will be a great achievement. I appreciate your effort in Burkina Faso and our effective cooperation in Niger.”

Emphasising the need for stability and prosperity for the black race, Tinubu described the 21st century as “Africa’s era”.

Consequently, he said “We must build a model of sustainable development…But we must move beyond those whose vision of Africa is narrow and evil.”

“We are not afraid of confrontation, but we prefer to be restrained for now, at this time,” the President declared.

He pledged his country’s commitment to this vision saying “Nigeria will collaborate with you.”

The Chairperson of the African Union, Assoumani, noted that the bloc seeks to complete Nigeria’s effort in securing peace and prosperity in Africa, rather than competing with it.

The Chairperson of the African Union, Assoumani, noted that the bloc seeks to complete Nigeria’s effort in securing peace and prosperity in Africa, rather than competing with it.

“The effort we are making in the Sahel is very important. We know we must double our efforts.

“We must tell our Muslim brothers who are struggling to steal power that only Allah chooses leaders.

“We must respect the will of Allah. I am ready to collaborate with you. Your efforts in supporting agricultural growth and food security through the provision of resources from Islamic banks have been most commendable and our region is appreciative. I am determined to work with you in uplifting Nigerians and Africans,” the President assured.

The leader of the 57-nation body praised Tinubu for his active effort in bringing African states to a place of common understanding.

Taha said “We must gain consensus on the need for peace, especially amongst our member states.

“When you were elected as ECOWAS Chairman, it gave us confidence and hope that the situation in the Sahel region would improve because you are bringing people together.

“We were also happy about your election as President of Nigeria and we see the changes.”

The OIC Scribe also invited President Tinubu to participate in the OIC Heads of State Summit, expected to be held in a few months.

The Chicago State University confirmed to American news network, CBS, that President Bola Tinubu graduated from the institution in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Administration.

There has been controversy surrounding Tinubu’s academic record with the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, filing a lawsuit in the US to compel CSU officials to turn over Tinubu’s academic documents.

However,  CSU told CBS that it was confident in the veracity and integrity of its records regarding Tinubu’s completion of graduation requirements and degree certificate, but was restrained by the United States federal law to provide any further information about Tinubu’s record, without consent or unless allowed to do so via court order.

The statement from the Chicago State University on Tinubu published by CBS on Thursday reads, “As an educational institution, we are sometimes asked to provide information related to student records.

“Federal law known as FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects the privacy of student records and limits what an institution can release.

“In August 2023, a request was made in U.S. federal court for the university to provide information related to educational records concerning Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, and a former CSU student.

“The university has confirmed Tinubu attended CSU and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree. Federal law, however, prevents us from providing any further information without consent or unless allowed to do so via court order.

“CSU is confident in the veracity and integrity of our records regarding Tinubu’s completion of graduation requirements and degree certificate.

“The university is not a party to the Nigerian legal proceedings that spurred this request, and a U.S. federal judge will determine whether the university will provide further requested information.

“Our response to the request for Tinubu’s academic records has been entirely consistent with our practices, policies, and federal law. We would respond in exactly the same manner for any request for any student information by a third party.”