Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
The President of United Nations General Assembly, Mohammed Bande says the global organisation will continue to focus on how to make life better for all humans, by achieving the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs.
He stated this on Monday, while speaking to Journalists after a closed-door meeting with President Muhamamdu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Bande, “Our focus as has been stated repeatedly is on the implementation of the agreed-to Sustainable Development Goals and a lot needs to be done in relation to the matter, whether you are dealing with quality education, zero hunger, climate action, inclusion or poverty eradication, there is a lot to be done. It’s not just national action, National action is key but collaboration is also important and this is what we will continue to do.”
The UNGA President expressed his gratitude to Nigeria for supporting his service to the global organisation.
He said: “I have come here in recognition of the support the President and Nigeria has given to my office since my assumption of duty. Everything that was promised me in terms of personnel and funds was given and I therefore have every reason to make sure that at the end of the day, we achieve what we have promised to achieve, with of course, the level of cooperation we get form other member States and the support so far has been very encouraging.”
He used the occasion to drum the message of the protection of the rights of citizens, especially the aged.
“I also have the opportunity to participate in the opening of very important regional and high-level meeting on the human rights situation of other people. This is a very important matter, not only it’s a bit clearly connected to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, it is also imperative that we not affirm in word the dignity and wellbeing of other persons but we act through policy interventions to guarantee that the dignity and rights of other persons are guaranteed.
“This is crucial because more and more the population is aging. In 10 to 30 years’ time or even less, probably about 15 percent of Africans will be 60 and above. It will be a complete different picture and we have to plan how to guarantee the rights to all citizens regardless of their age and gender,” he said.
