Secretary-General visit to Nigeria, 23-24 August 2015
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon from New York on Sunday afternoon, 23 August.
That evening, he met with and discussed with them their role in implementing the sustainable development goals.? He told them they had an essential role to play because they were “among the closest to the people”, and said that this was a crucial moment for Nigeria, which was moving forward in line with the aspirations of the people’s country.? (See Press Release SG/SM/17025).
On Monday morning, the Secretary-General held a breakfast with the United Nations Country Team in Nigeria.? He then took part in a to pay tribute to the 23 victims of a terrorist attack on the United Nations House in Abuja, on 26 August 2011.? Speaking to United Nations staff, including survivors of the attack, he called on them to be proud of their mission and to honour their fallen colleagues by working together to build a better future for the people of Nigeria and of the world.? (See Press Release SG/SM/17026.)
He was also briefed by the National Countering Violent Extremism Team.
The Secretary-General then visited the Garki 2 Health Centre in Abuja, where he helped to immunize children.? He also visited the Garki Junior Secondary School where he talked to students about how the United Nations had helped him during his childhood.? He also met with girls who were part of a “Girl Child Initiative” which help girls get skills and stay in school.
The Secretary-General then met with President .? In a following the meeting, the Secretary-General commended the people of Nigeria on the peaceful, free and fair elections held earlier in the year. He noted that, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, a sitting President peacefully ceded power to an opposition candidate in a democratic election.? He also said that the United Nations supported the country’s efforts to advance hope, peace, sustainable development and human rights in a comprehensive way.
The Secretary-General later held a meeting with the to discuss their role in addressing climate change and implementing the sustainable development goals.? He said it was essential to harness the power of the private sector and civil society to find shared solutions to complex challenges.? (See Press Release SG/SM/17027.)
In the afternoon, the Secretary-General took part in a dialogue on “Democracy, human rights, development, climate change and countering violent extremism” with the Vice-President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo.? He spoke about Nigeria’s role and contributions regionally and internationally.? “As the UN marks its seventieth anniversary, I look to Nigeria as a key partner and leader on the international stage,” he said.? He also talked about the importance of sustainable development.? He said that Nigeria had seen how development deficits — economic marginalization, lack of opportunities, and climate stress — greatly aggravate security challenges, with the Boko Haram insurgency emerging from the seeds of those grievances.? (See Press Release SG/SM/17030.)
Later he met with Nigerian youth to speak about development and then met with victims of Boko Haram violence.
In the evening, the Secretary-General was invited to a dinner in his honour at the President’s residence.
The Secretary-General left Abuja in the evening of 24 August, for Paris, France.