Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande has been conferred with the global leadership in international relations award by the International Police and Veterans Foundation.
Muhammad-Bande was conferred with the award at a ceremony in New York, United States in recognition of his outstanding performance and global leadership as the 74th president of the UN General Assembly from September 17 to September 15, 2020.
President of the foundation Richard Ezaqui said it “fully recognised the outstanding role Muhammad-Bande played and demonstrated towards rallying the world to combat the menace of COVID-19 during his tenure.”
“Your sterling performance in leading the world successfully during those difficult times played significant role in choosing your excellency for this prestigious International Award,’’ he said.
The UN General Assembly during Muhammad-Bande’s tenure passed more than 70 decisions and resolutions at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diplomats at the UN had expressed concerns that it would be impossible for the General Assembly to do its job when COVID-19 started spreading and countries began to impose lockdown.
They praised Muhammad-Bande for how the 193-member body was able to carry out its work through novel means that guaranteed business continuity while mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the Nigerian envoy as the “miracle” needed by the UN General Assembly to weather the COVID-19 storm.
Receiving the award, Muhammad-Bande appreciated the leadership of the foundation for the recognition.
“Peace and security are foundation and the most important elements and when there are troubles, peace and security come first.
“We must appreciate the work that police and other law enforcement agencies do for all us,” he said.
