I will defend rights of poor, women, youth —Minister

Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, has said that she will continue to work for the rights of the poor, especially women and the youth, adding that she will in the meantime continue to lay strong foundations in the country’s environment sector, even with her recent appointment as a United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General.

Appreciating the UN Secretary-General-designate, Antonio Guterres and President Muhammadu Buhari for the confidence they reposed in her, Mohammed through a statement last week, said the opportunity and responsibility to serve people and planet as the next UN Deputy Secretary-General is truly humbling.

“As directed by Mr President, I will continue in the meantime to lay strong foundations with various important ongoing initiatives critical to the government’s success in the environment sector. These include our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Climate Agreement, the successful launch of the first Sovereign Green Bonds in 2017, the ongoing Ogoni clean-up and development of the Great Green Walls,” she said.

The Minister of Environment also noted that the support she had from colleagues, leaders and various stakeholders in the environment sector has contributed immensely to her achievements over the years.

“The next phase of my continued service to the people of Nigeria at the global level, will certainly build on the rich insights and lessons drawn from engaging with leaders, colleagues and stakeholders across our beloved nation.

“Over the last three decades and during my contributions to the Millennium Development Goals, the Sustainable Development Goals, and recently working for environment protection as part of President Buhari’s vision to transform Nigeria, I have been blessed with the unwavering support and inspiration from leaders, colleagues, activists and stakeholders from the polluted creeks in the Niger-Delta, to the eroded  (Kumaro and Alpha) and overflowing  (Makoko) communities in Lagos, Nnaka erosion site in Anambra and others through the polluted Sharada industrial sites of Kano, the drought-affected areas (Bama) in Borno as well as the degraded dunes in Yobe and other parts of the catchment area of the disappearing Lake Chad.

“I will continue to work for the rights of the poor, especially women and the youth, ensuring we leave no one behind,” Mohammed said.