Nigeria’s Bande presides over first UN General Assembly

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and newly inaugurated President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prof. Tijjani Muhammed Bande, has presided over his first session of the Assembly in New York. 

Speaking at the occasion at the UN headquarters on Tuesday, he thanked members nations for the confidence reposed in him, which led to his election as the 74th UNGA President. 

He said his vision statement focused on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), poverty eradication, zero hunger, quality education, climate action, and inclusion. 

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Bande added that he would collaborate and coordinate with the Security Council and the Secretariat to ensure that attention was paid to the prevention rather than a reaction to full-blown conflicts. 

The President urged the world body to redouble its effort to “bridge gaps and act for the common good of the people we serve.”

He said: “We must build trust with one another, deepen partnerships and show empathy. This is the only way to resolve the many challenges that confront us. We will have to arrive together to deliver for all.”