Buhari Sends Special Delegation To New York (See Why)

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Sunday sent a Federal Government delegation team to support Nigeria’s candidate, Prof. Tijjani Bande, at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) election.

Naija News reports that the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, made this known in Abuja on Sunday, June 2.

Shehu said the delegation was heading to New York ahead of the election for the Presidency of UNGA slatted to hold on Tuesday, June 4.

In his statement, Shehu disclosed that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Mustapha Sulaiman, is leading the delegation which included the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Other members of the team are; the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Dr. Bello Gusau; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

The statement by the Presidents spokesman reads; “President Buhari is confident that Nigeria’s Presidency of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly will provide a unique opportunity for Nigeria to lead the global call to tackle the political, social, economic and environmental challenges facing the world.

“Nigeria looks forward to working with UN member states to promote international peace and security, prevent conflict, strengthen global action to tackle climate change, ensure inclusion, human rights, and empowerment of youth and women.

“Nigeria hopes to build on progress made under Ecuador’s Presidency of the 73rd Assembly led by María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, and further promote key themes that President Buhari has championed on the global stage since 2015.

“These include climate change, combating terrorism and violent extremism, and establishing functional anti-corruption mechanisms to assist countries like Nigeria recover and repatriate stolen funds,”