Buhari Leaves for UN General Assembly on Sunday, to Visit London Thereafter

The presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Friday disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari will be leave Nigeria for New York on Sunday to join other world leaders at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“President Buhari will transit through London on his way back to the country,” Adesina added.
Adesina said that the high point of the president’s visit would be his participation in the general debate during which he would deliver the country’s national statement.

According to the presidential spokesman, the president would join other world leaders at the welcoming reception to be hosted by Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General. He added that the theme of this years’s debate is: ‘Focusing on People; Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’.

Adesina also said that Buhari, as well as other world leaders, will equally hold a lunch meeting with the US president, Donald Trump.

“During the general-assembly, Nigeria will participate in high level meetings on ‘prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse: building momentum for change,’ the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, a high level event organised by the African Union under its theme of the year: ‘roadmap on the demographic dividend: from commitment to action,’ among others.

“At the events, President Buhari and members of his delegation will strive to project Nigeria as a strong moral force and responsible member of the international community.

“Nigeria’s commitment to global peace, security and development will also be reaffirmed and where necessary, the need for increased international cooperation in the fight against corruption.

“Other priorities for the Nigerian delegation at UNGA 72 include strengthening human rights institutions; the rule of law; support for internally-displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of terrorist acts and recent flooding, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

“The Nigerian delegation will also canvass the support of UN member states for the Buhari administration’s efforts towards combating illicit financial flows in order to foster sustainable development,” he said.

In addition, he noted that the President will be accompanied by the governors of Zamfara, Ebonyi and Ondo states, and key cabinet ministers, The Cable reports.

The news comes in the heat of unrest arising from the recent launch by the Nigerian Army of its ‘Operation Python Dance’ exercise in the South-East.

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