Ahmed Abubakar, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has described Mohammad-Bande’s emergence as President of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) as “a very big day for Nigeria and Africa’’.
Mohammad-Bande, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was elected by acclamation at the 87th plenary meeting of UNGA at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
Abubakar, who led a presidential delegation to the election, said Mohammad-Bande’s election by acclamation underscored his clout, knowledge and experience as a diplomat.
“You saw the energy in the hall after the declaration of Prof. Tijani Mohammad-Bande as the next PGA (President of the General Assembly).
“The ovation was just overwhelming. This goes to say one important thing that we already know, that Nigeria is a very great country.
“His candidature was endorsed by ECOWAS, African Union and the continent as a whole, underscoring the clout, experience and knowledge that he will bring to bear on the job.
“You heard the testimonies of regional representatives, including that of the United States of America. So, we are happy that this has taken place at this moment,” he said.
NAN reports that poverty eradication, inclusion of women and youth, peace and security, promotion and protection of human rights, climate action, among others, are part of the vision outlined by the PGA-elect.
