Buhari receives UNGA president, warns about non-rehabilitation of IDPs

President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the urgency and imperative of the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country to prevent a “big problem” in future.

He gave the admonition Monday at the presidential villa, Abuja, while receiving in audience the President of the 74th United Nations General Assembly, Nigeria’s Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

He said: “Most of the displaced children do not know their parents, or where they come from. We have to look at the issue now, properly rehabilitate them, otherwise, we will have a problem on our hands in the future.”

He urged the UN General Assembly President to make Nigeria’s challenges glaring to the world while commending him for what he calls “your hard work and competence” so far.

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President Buhari said Nigeria is committed to education and providing health care to the young and old, among other welfarist policies.

Prof Muhammad-Bande said he was at the State House to express appreciation to President Buhari for the support given, leading to his emergence as UNGA President, and the continued cooperation from Nigeria.

“Everything I have requested for, in terms of personnel and funds, has been delivered. I thank President Buhari very much. I also thank other member states for the support I am getting,” he said.

Prof Muhammad-Bande also appreciated Nigeria for rebuilding the UN Building in Abuja destroyed by Boko Haram.

Speaking to correspondents after the meeting, the UNGA President said he was at the presidential villa in recognition of the support President Buhari gave his office since he became UNGA president.

He said: “Everything that was promised to me in terms of personnel and funds have been given and I have therefore every reason to make sure that at the end of the day what we promised to achieve, we have achieved and of course, a lot depends on what cooperation we are able to obtain from other member states and I will like to say that the support so far has been very encouraging.”