Ban Ki-moon invites Buhari to a meeting against extremism

President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted an invitation from the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon to a meeting of world leaders in New York to formulate fresh plan of action against extremism.

A statement issued by Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, said that Ban made the request during a closed door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

The statement, issued in Abuja on Monday, quoted Ban as saying the UN would welcome Buhari’s “input and experience” in finalising plans to introduce a new resolution against extremism at the General Assembly.

It said President Barack Obama of the U.S. and French President Francois Hollande are also expected to participate in the meeting billed for Sept. 28.

The statement said the meeting would, among other issues, deliberate on a new United Nations draft resolution on combating extremism worldwide.

It said the UN scribe also invited Buhari to a meeting of a select group of 25 World leaders in New York on Sept. 27 to deliberate on global climate change agreement.

The statement quoted Ban as saying the invitations were in recognition of the political will demonstrated by Buhari to combat terror in Nigeria and deal with environmental issues.

Ban applauded moves by the Buhari administration to clean up Ogoniland and promised the 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 scribe assured.