Buhari arrives in New York to address UN general assembly and lobby for Security Council seat

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in New York ahead of the 73rd Session of United Nations (UN) general assembly where he will address participants highlighting Nigeria's commitment to global peace and sustainable socio-economic development.

Last night, President Buhari flew out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja accompanied by his wife Aisha and arrived in New York this morning. While at the UN, the president will address the general assembly tomorrow and also use the occasion to canvass for Nigeria to be given a permanent Security Council seat.

According to presidential spokesman Femi Adesina, the theme for this year’s session is -  Making the United Nations Relevant to all People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies. He added that President Buhari's presentation of Nigeria’s national statement is expected to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to international peace and security and sustainable socio-economic development.

Mr Adesina said the presentation would also cover the areas of disarmament and denuclearisation, youth and women empowerment, climate change, rule of law and human rights, among others. Since assuming office in 2015, President Buhari has enjoyed a lot of international goodwill, being invited to address numerous global gatherings including those of the UN and organisations like the G-8.

Foreign minister Geoffrey Onyema, had revealed that President Buhari being asked to address the UN once more proves that Nigeria is highly rated internationally. He added that the president will use the opportunity to canvass for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and for a Nigerian to emerge as the president of the general assembly next year.

Nigeria's Joe Garba was once the president of the general assembly and over recent years there have been demands for the security council to be expanded with Africa getting two permanent seats. Seen as the giant of Africa and the main hope of the continent as it seeks to develop, Nigeria is being wooed by industrialised nations who want her to spearhead Africa's drive to drag herself out of poverty, which President Buhari is hoping to leverage on.