Nigeria has assumed the Chairmanship of the African Group at the United Nations for the month of March 2019, succeeding the Republic of Benin. The Nigerian Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Bande, took over from his counterpart for the Republic of Benin, Jean-Claude do Rego, at a ceremony at the African Union Observer Mission in New York.
Bande pledged Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the African continent. The Nigerian envoy also said his focus as Chairman of the African Group would be to convey the views of the African Union at the United Nations and globally. “The focus of the Mission of Nigeria is to help to continue the work of consolidating Africa’s position on a number of common important issues from the point of view of the continent.
“These positions are questions like Security Council reform, positions we take in relation to the Status of Women, and issues relating to Peace and Security around the globe. “The whole idea is to strengthen the African voice. “The voices actually are of the African Permanent Representatives but occasionally, collectively, we need to make a statement for the continent and to defend the continent’s interests,” Bande said.
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