Nigerian singer and disc jockey, Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, humorously expressed her ambition to become Nigeria’s first female president.
This playful remark came during her role as host of the opening session at the prestigious 79th United Nations General Assembly.
DJ Cuppy, daughter of Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola, made history as the first British-Nigerian to host an opening session at the UNGA.
The 32-year-old philanthropist, who founded the Cuppy Foundation, led the Youth Action Day at the 2024 UNGA Summit.
The summit was centered around the theme, ‘The Summit of the Future – Youth Actions Day’, underscoring the significance of youth involvement in shaping global agendas.
In her keynote speech, Cuppy showcased her vibrant personality while subtly hinting at her political aspirations.
“I’m repping a country called Nigeria, in case you’ve heard of it. Now, I’m a DJ philanthropist, but also your moderator… It feels like I’m more your co-host because today is all about you. It’s all about the youth, and I am so, so honored to be taking you on this journey today,” she said.
Taking the stage with confidence and enthusiasm, DJ Cuppy encouraged the younger generation to believe in inclusive leadership. Her commitment to education and social change was evident when she highlighted her work through the Cuppy Foundation.
“My favorite SDG is definitely for opportunity for everyone to get quality education. And at my foundation, the Cuppy Foundation, I’m so proud because we provide hardship funds for African students,” she shared, emphasizing her passion for promoting access to education.
Engaging the audience in a lively exchange, she said, “So when I say youth, I want you to say action. Should we give it a go? Youth? Youth?” The enthusiastic response from the crowd was a testament to her ability to inspire and connect with young people.
In a lighthearted but hopeful moment, Cuppy joked about her political ambitions, “Maybe I could be the first female president of Nigeria. Who knows? But you know, sometimes all we need is a bit of hope. And I feel so much hope is in this room.”
Beyond her role as moderator, DJ Cuppy also took to the stage for a special musical performance, closing the session with energy and excitement that left the audience thrilled.
Her participation at the UNGA, alongside the influential presence of Nigerian-born Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, underscored the growing momentum behind female leadership, particularly in Africa.
The collaboration between Cuppy and Amina Mohammed during the summit sent a strong message about the importance of empowering women in leadership roles, symbolizing a global push towards gender equality.
Meanwhile, representing Nigeria on the political stage at the 79th UNGA was Vice President Kashim Shettima, who attended on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. In line with his mandate, Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement and participated in several high-level meetings aimed at addressing global issues.
The 2024 UNGA’s Summit of the Future drew global attention to the importance of accelerating progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
With young people playing a critical role in solving the world’s most pressing challenges, the summit highlighted the need for their active involvement to secure a sustainable and inclusive future.
