Buhari departs for New York tomorrow

President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Nigeria to New York on Sunday, 17th September for the 72nd Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 72).

Buhari who will join other world leaders at the meeting will also have a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump, of the United States of America.

According to a statement by Femi Adesina, the special adviser on media and publicity, the high point of the President’s visit will be his participation in the General Debate during which he will deliver the country’s National Statement.

The theme for this year’s Debate is: “Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet.” The welcoming reception to be hosted by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will be graced by President Buhari with other world leaders, and he will use the opportunity to hold a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe.

The Nigerian leader will also hold a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump of the United States of America, along with other world leaders.

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 organized by the African Union under its Theme of the Year: ‘Roadmap on the Demographic Dividend: from Commitment to Action,’ among others.

At the UNGA, 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 combatting illicit financial flows in order to foster sustainable development.

In his earlier address to the press, the Minister of foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama stated that the Federal government will also make case for the repatriation of all stolen funds from the country stashed in some banks in Europe, America and Asia.

He further stated that the “fight against terrorism, human rights protection, repatriating illicit financial assets to countries of origin”, among other global issues would top Nigeria’s agenda at the meeting.

Onyeama pointed out that the government is facing challenges of repatriating stolen funds stashed in foreign countries and would solicit the support of UN to ensure that country’s have access to all illegal funds taken away from nations as it will go a long way to quench corruption.

He said, “The country would push to actualize the UN resolution on ‘Promotion of International Cooperation to Combat Illicit Financial Flows’ so that all the countries of the world would be fully engaged in repatriating stolen funds to countries of origin.”