President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed the gratitude of the country to Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the immediate past President of the United Nation’s General Assembly, for making Nigeria proud.
President Buhari said this when he received Muhammadu-Bande, the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN, on Friday at the State House, Abuja.
He said: “You had an opportunity to serve, and you did so well.
“Thank you very much.
“By a sort of coincidence, you and Amina (Ambassador Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General) served at the same time.
“When I addressed the UN, I felt so proud to see my countryman and woman sitting at my sides.”
The President used the opportunity to ask for patience and understanding of the country’s development process, saying it is something that takes time, but expressed optimism that advances in technology, education and experience will help to speed up the process.
In his brief remarks, Muhammad-Bande said he was full of gratitude and appreciation to Buhari and the entire nation for supporting him in his year-long tenure as President of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly.
He thanked the Nigerian Leader for giving him a chance to serve and the subsequent support.
“You gave me an assignment; you gave me whatever I needed. You provided for my success. The trust you gave and your leadership got us through,” Muhammad-Bande told the President.
Having been reappointed, Muhammad-Bande continues in his position as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York.