Nigeria hails choice of local minister for UN top post

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria's president Friday hailed the appointment of one of his Cabinet ministers to be the United Nations’ next deputy secretary-general.

“I wholeheartedly endorse the choice of Amina Mohammed as the next deputy secretary-general of the UN. It is a great honor to Nigeria,” Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement.

Buhari said incoming Secretary-General António Guterres called him on Thursday to tell him the news.

“I'm grateful to Amina Mohammed for her service to Nigeria, and have no doubt that in her new assignment she will continue to make us proud,” he added.

Amina, long a notable player in the international system, is currently the country's environment minister.

She was a special advisor to outgoing UN chief Ban Ki-Moon on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She described the appointment as “truly humbling.”

“The opportunity to serve people and the planet as the next UN deputy secretary-general is truly humbling. I am most grateful for the confidence and trust demonstrated by UN Secretary-General-designate Antonio Guterres and President Muhammadu Buhari,” said the top diplomat.

Guterres will be the ninth male UN secretary-general. His nomination was seen as a setback by advocates of gender parity, who had hoped a woman would become the UN chief this time around.

Amina’s nomination appears to be a nod towards gender parity at the international organization, where calls for reforms to reflect 21st century realities have grown louder.

Guterres is set to take office next month.