President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the President-elect of UN General Assembly and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, to justify the confidence reposed in him by Nigerians and the world.
The President also congratulated the envoy formally when he paid him a visit on Thursday at the State House in Abuja.
“You have intellectually prepared yourself for this position, well experienced in the field and unanimously elected by your peers.
“You must now justify the confidence reposed in you by Nigerians and the world,” President Buhari was quoted as saying in a statement by his media adviser, Femi Adesina.
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He, thereafter, told the Permanent Representative, ‘‘I believe you have earned the respect of your colleagues and I appreciate your coming to see us.”
In his remarks, Muhammad-Bande said his election as the 74th President of the General Assembly was successful because of the leadership in Nigeria and the unflinching support of African countries.
He promised to give a good account of the country, adding that issues of great importance to Nigeria including peace and security, poverty eradication, education, inclusion and climate action, particularly on the Lake Chad region, would be on the front burner of his presidency.
The Permanent Representative, who outlined his vision statement for the UNGA Presidency, stressed that the fight against corruption and return of assets to the countries of origin are on the agenda.
“The election of Nigeria or a Nigerian into an international position can only happen if what is happening at home has the confidence of the international community,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.
Muhammad-Bande added, “The fight against corruption has already gained traction, under the leadership of Nigeria at the United Nations, discussions on combating illicit financial flows, the fight to return assets to the countries of origin, have been led effectively by Nigeria with the support of many countries, especially Norway.”
The Nigerian diplomat was on his first visit to the country since he was elected by acclamation as the 74th President of the General Assembly on June 4, 2019, in New York.
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