BUHARI ACCEPTS TO ATTEND UN MEETING AGAINST EXTREMISM

President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted an invitation from the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon to a meeting of world leaders in New York which is expected to formulate a fresh plan of action against extremism, Malam Shehu Garba, senior special assistant to the President said in a statement issued after a meeting between the UN Scribe and the Nigerian President on Monday.

Garba noted that President Barack Obama and President Francois Hollande of France are also expected to participate in the September 28 meeting which will, among other things deliberate on a new United Nations draft resolution on combating extremism worldwide.

“Ban Ki Moon also invited President Buhari to a meeting of a select group of 25 World leaders in New York on September 27 to deliberate on a global climate change agreement.

“In offering the invitations Monday in Abuja, the Secretary-General said they were in recognition of the political will demonstrated by President Buhari in combating terror in Nigeria and dealing with environmental issues,” Garba said.

He added that Ban Ki Moon also applauded moves by the Buhari administration to clean up Ogoniland and promised the full support of the United Nations for the exercise.

“We will find ways to complement your leadership on environmental reform. We are happy with your plans for the restoration of Ogoniland and we will see how we can help,” the UN Secretary-General assured President Buhari,” Garba quoted the UN Scribe as saying.

He also quoted Moon as saying UN will welcome President Buhari’s “input and experience” in finalizing plans to introduce a new resolution against extremism at the General Assembly.