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Nigeria’s Muhammad-Bande bags leadership award in U.S.
The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, 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, in recognition of his outstanding performance and global leadership as the 74th President of the UN General Assembly from Sept. 17 to Sept. 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 News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UN General Assembly under Muhammad-Bande’s leadership 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.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, particularly 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 and for bestowing it on him.
He said there was a connection between the work of the UN and the work that the foundation did to help humanity.
“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.
Dr Kazeem Bello, President, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), New Jersey, while reading Muhammad-Bande’s citation, said it was on record that he held the position of the President of UN General Assembly at the most trying period.
Bello, an Adviser on Financial and Strategic Planning at the foundation, said Muhammad-Bande headed the UN General Assembly at a very challenging year since the establishment of the organisation.
“Muhammad-Bande performed exceeding creditably during the global challenging time that confronted the entire human race.
“He led the entire leadership of world leaders to unify, work collectively and speak with single voice to combat the menace of ravaging COVID-19,” Bello said.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, who said that members of the foundation were the first responders to the pandemic and thanked them for supporting the people.
“This association during the pandemic was distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), providing scholarship for the children of those officers who lost their lives to the pandemic,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Muhammad-Bande was accompanied by his wife, Consul-General of Nigeria in New York Amb. Lot Egopija, Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN Amb. George Edokpa and Mrs Catherine Udida, a Minister at Nigeria’s permanent mission. (NAN)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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