The immediate past Nigerian minister of environment, Amina Mohammed, has formally assumed as the fifth Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) at the UN Headquarters in New York,
The swearing-in ceremony was conducted today, Tuesday, by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.
Guterres told Mohammed shortly after administering the oath of office: “I want to say that I am extremely, very, very proud that you accepted to join our team. Thank you very much,”
The Deputy UN chief, after her swearing-in, immediately swung into action by declaring open the 2017 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Segment on Operational Activities for Development.
Her speech at the ECOSOC event was her first official engagement, followed by a brief press encounter with the UN Correspondents.
Amina Mohammed, who was appointed by Guterres on December 15, 2016, as his deputy, was supposed to have assumed office on January 1, 2017.
She, however, delayed the assumption of her new role at the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to complete some ongoing responsibilities she was handling at that time.
The office of the UN Deputy Secretary-General was formally established by the General Assembly in 1997 to handle many of the administrative responsibilities of the Secretary-General.
As the fifth Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed will help to manage the UN Secretariat operations, and ensuring inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coherence of activities and programmes.
She will also support the Secretary-General in elevating the profile and leadership of the UN in the economic and social spheres, including further efforts to strengthen the UN as a leading centre for development policy and development assistance.
In accepting the appointment, Amina Mohammed had said she was humbled at the opportunity to serve humanity.
“The opportunity and responsibility to serve people and planet as the next UN Deputy Secretary-General is truly humbling. I am most grateful for the confidence and trust demonstrated by the United Nations Secretary-General-designate, António Guterres and President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The next phase of my continued service to the people of Nigeria at the global level, will certainly build on the rich insights and lessons drawn from engaging with leaders, colleagues and stakeholders across our beloved nation.”
She recalled her positions of responsibilities over the last three decades and her contributions to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and recently working for environment protection as part of Buhari administration’s vision to transform Nigeria.
Nigeria was represented at the swearing-in by the acting Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Anthony Bosah, while other family members and top UN officials also attended the ceremony.
Amina Mohammed had earlier served as UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning.
She was instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the SDGs.
Before joining the UN, Amina Mohammed worked for three successive administrations in Nigeria, serving as Special Adviser on MDGs.
She provided advice on issues including poverty, public sector reform and sustainable development, and coordinating poverty reduction interventions.
Source: NAN. [myad]
