Singapore President Invites Tinubu For Official Visit

Singapore’s President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, has invited President Bola Tinubu to visit Singapore as both countries seek to deepen diplomatic relations and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

According to reports, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, disclosed the development in a statement issued by the Nigerian Mission in New York.

Ibrahim said Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, delivered the invitation letter from President Shanmugaratnam during a visit to the Nigerian Mission House.

Gafoor also congratulated Ibrahim on his appointment as Chairman of two key United Nations committees — the Fifth Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Matters and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, also known as the Committee of 34.

Ibrahim thanked the Singaporean government for the invitation and said President Tinubu would honour it at a suitable time.

The Nigerian envoy said Singapore’s interest in strengthening engagement with Nigeria was connected to the country’s ongoing economic reforms and broader efforts at national transformation.

He said the reforms had attracted international attention and could provide opportunities for both countries to exchange experiences on economic development and multilateral cooperation.

Ibrahim also highlighted what he described as Tinubu’s cordial relationship with President Tharman and commended Singapore for the reforms that have shaped its development.

“Nigeria is currently going through reform in order to transform herself to a modern contemporary state, where interests of everyone is protected and Nigerians begin to enjoy a viable proposition,” Ibrahim said.

The Nigerian envoy further disclosed that his office had recently recorded increased diplomatic engagements with representatives of several countries, including the United Kingdom and Guyana.

Speaking about his new responsibilities at the United Nations, Ibrahim pledged to promote fairness, accountability and efficiency in the committees under his leadership.

“I will be fair to all in allocation of resources under the Fifth Committee, and every country will have a say,” he said.

The Fifth Committee is responsible for administrative and budgetary matters at the United Nations, while the Committee of 34 deals with issues relating to UN peacekeeping operations.