Labour Not Part Of FG’s Delegation To COP28, Says NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday debunked reports which alleged that it was part of the Federal Government’s delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference otherwise called COP28.
Nigerians had criticised the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, for being a part of the FG’s entourage to the ongoing COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A total number of 1,411 Nigerians were reported to have attended the conference, leading to outrage and criticism from the citizens amid the suffering and economic hardship the country is currently facing.
NLC has, however, issued a statement on its X handle to clarify that it was not part of the Federal Government’s delegation.
“NLC Climate change Department has been involved in COP activities long before now,” the statement read.
“All our participation in Climate Change activities are fully driven and funded independently.
“Check through the Federal Government’s list, NLC was never mentioned on that list, verify. BEWARE OF MISCHIEF-MAKERS.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had earlier cleared the air on the number of delegates the FG sponsored to the event.
Amid the raging criticism over Nigeria’s large delegation to Dubai for the summit, Idris, issued a statement on Monday to clarify the issue.
“The Federal Government has noted with interest the public conversation on the number of delegates from Nigeria attending the ongoing Climate Summit in Dubai, otherwise called COP28, and the need to provide clarity in line with a standing pledge to conduct itself with transparency and accessibility regarding public information,” he said.
“It is imperative to point out that the overall Nigerian delegation to COP-28 comprises Government-sponsored (Federal and State Governments) and non-government-sponsored participants (from Private Companies, NGOs, CSOs, Media, academia, etc).
“The Federal Government-funded delegation is made up of a total of 422 persons: National Council on Climate Change (32); Federal Ministry of Environment (34); All Ministries (167); Presidency (67); Office of the Vice President (9); National Assembly (40); and Federal Parastatals/Agencies (73).”
