WHEN NIGERIANS LED THE WORLD: THE BUHARI YEARS

By MICHAEL OGUEKE

All envious and uncharitable efforts by incompetent criminals, hypocrites, betrayers, ungrateful leeches and characterless political jobbers to discredit or destroy the legacies of this best president Nigeria ever had will never succeed. And those who dare to bring Buhari’s good name and unmatched honest efforts to better Nigeria into disrepute will surely suffer eternal disgrace.

Under the leadership of Buhari, Nigeria and Nigerians were elected into the headship of major influential world political, economic, judicial, health and entertainment organisations etc.

Under Buhari’s sterling leadership which the world could not ignore, Professor Tijani Bande – then Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations was elected President of the 74th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on 4 June, 2019.

Under Buhari’s leadership, Amina Mohammed was appointed the 5th Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and assumed office on 1st January, 2017.

Under Buhari’s leadership, Fatima Kyari Mohammed was appointed African Union Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Under Buhari’s leadership, Akinwumi Adesina was elected 8th President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2015. He was the first Nigerian to hold the position and assumed office on September 1, 2015.

Even when Adesina was accused of fraud and unethical practices that could have led to his sack, President Buhari brought the full weight of the Nigerian government behind him until his name was cleared. Buhari did not stop there. He worked so hard to ensure Adesina was re-elected for another tenure of 5 years in 2020.

Under Buhari’s leadership, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was nominated by Buhari as Nigeria’s candidate for the then vacant Director-General position at the World Trade Organization. With Buhari’s great effort & intense lobby of world leaders, Okonjo-Iweala was elected the 7th Director-General of the World Trade Organization. She assumed office on 1st March, 2021.

And she has publicly acknowledged and remained grateful to President Buhari for his efforts that helped her immensely to clinch the headship of WTO.

Under Buhari’s leadership, Dr Chikwe Ikekweazu, after serving out his appointment by Buhari as the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and following his world acknowledged effort and contributions to the containment of COVID-19 not only in Nigeria but also in the world was appointed Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization. He assumed office on 1st November, 2021.

Under Buhari’s leadership, Judge Chile Eboe- Osuji was elected the 4th President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands. Chile Eboe- Osuji was president of ICC from 11th March, 2018 — 10th March, 2021.

The list of Nigerians elected and appointed into leadership positions in influential world organizations under the sterling leadership and efforts of president Buhari is endless but for want of time and space we will stop here today.

It’s noteworthy too to mention here that it was under president Buhari’s leadership that for the first time, two Nigerian based musicians — Burna Boy and Wizkid, won the world’s most prestigious music award – the Grammys thus announcing the arrival of made in Nigeria music to the world.

No president in the history of Nigeria brought more honour, respect and international recognition to Nigeria than Buhari.

It’s not a coincidence however. It’s simply a testimony and recognition by the world of Buhari’s integrity, of Buhari’s sincere, transparent and purposeful leadership as well as the resultant verifiable and monumental achievements from his impeccable efforts. And of course the reason world leaders queued up daily to visit him in Aso Rock throughout his tenure.

Today, the administration that succeeded Buhari has, in the eyes of critics, not only failed to preserve the international stature associated with his years in office but has also struggled to match his diplomatic visibility on the global stage. The absence of President Tinubu from the United Nations General Assembly in recent years has become a striking point of comparison for those who believe Nigeria’s voice and visibility at the highest level of international diplomacy have diminished since Buhari left office.

To Buhari’s supporters, this contrast is difficult to ignore: while they recall a presidency in which Nigeria’s presence was repeatedly projected through its nationals occupying influential international positions, they see the present administration as offering far less evidence of comparable global diplomatic engagement.

God bless President Buhari!

All envious and uncharitable efforts by incompetent criminals, hypocrites, betrayers, ungrateful leeches and characterless political jobbers to discredit or destroy the legacies of this best president Nigeria ever had will never succeed. And those who dare to bring Buhari’s good name and unmatched honest efforts to better Nigeria into disrepute will surely suffer eternal disgrace.

Michael Ogueke #MO
michaelogueke@gmail.com