President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed the gratitude of the country to Prof. Tijjani-Muhammad-Bande, the immediate past President of the United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA) for making Nigeria proud.
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement, said Buhari made this known when he received Muhammad-Bande, who is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN on Friday in Abuja.
The president said: ”You had an opportunity to serve, and you did so well. Thank you very much. By a sort of coincidence, you and Amina (Ambassador Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General) served at the same time.
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“When I addressed the UN, I felt so proud to see my countryman and woman sitting at my sides.”
Buhari used the opportunity to ask for patience and understanding of the country’s development process.
According to him, this is something that takes time but expressed optimism that advances in technology, education and experience will help to speed up the process.
In his remarks, Muhammad-Bande said he was full of gratitude and appreciation to Buhari and the entire nation, for supporting him in his year-long tenure as President of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly.
”You gave me an assignment; you gave me whatever I needed. You provided for my success. The trust you gave and your leadership got us through,” he said.
Muhammad-Bande, who has been reappointed by the president, will continue in his position as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.