The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, has denied joining the Nigerian government delegation to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Israel clarified this in an X post on Monday, a day after he shared a video detailing his journey to the conference.
Recall that Nigeria’s 1,411-member delegation to COP28 had raised eyebrows among many Nigerians, especially on social media, with many netizens accusing President Bola Tinubu’s government of profligacy.
However, the Nigerian government denied sponsoring all of the delegates, saying a sizable number were at the conference at the expense of different civil society organisations (CSOs) and other interests.
After he was accused of attending COP28 at taxpayers’ expense, the APC National Youth Leader refuted the accusation.
Israel wrote, “For the umpteenth time, I am not a member of the Nigerian Government delegation to COP 28. The list you show below had me on, as a Guest of the NGO – Center for 21st Century issues, whom I have worked with for over 7 years as a partner.
“I would be speaking at one of their sessions this week. However I didn’t even have to use their registration because the Dubai Govt, the Host Country invited me as a Resource Person to Chair the session on indigenous Knowledge this morning.
“But because of your pre-conceived mind, nothing I say will convince you, so it’s not what it. My life did not begin and will not end on me being Youth Leader.
“Before and After, I have and will continue to be a Development Practitioner and Climate Change Campaigner, a highly paid public speaker and consultant with a second address outside politics.”
For the uptenth time, I am not a member of the Nigerian Government delegation to COP 28. The list you show below had me on, as a Guest of the NGO – Center for 21st Century issues, whom I have worked with for over 7 years as a partner. I would be speaking at one of their sessions… https://t.co/QyjFtDt823 pic.twitter.com/u3YPX28aTx
— The Dayo Israel™ (@dayoisrael) December 4, 2023