News
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)
News
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
News
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
News
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
-
News13 hours ago
Obi donates N20m to Colleges of Nursing in Ahiara and Ihiala
-
News8 hours ago
N10bn Alleged Loot: SGF Akume’s PA ,Torhile Uchi Turns Chinery
-
News13 hours ago
Kano Emirate Tussle: Appeal Court halts Emir Sanusi’s reinstatement
-
News13 hours ago
Damagum bows as PDP Govs move to re-assert ‘selves over party affairs
-
News4 hours ago
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
-
News13 hours ago
Tinubu’s administration not running govt in secrecy — AGF Fagbemi
-
News13 hours ago
Starship to leave for Mars at end of 2026 – Elon Musk
-
News5 hours ago
2027: Oyetola’s leadership’ll pave way for APC’s victory in Osun — ex-Speaker