- Lauds appointment of Wale Okediran as PAWA Sec-Gen
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday assured that Nigeria will continue to provide support for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) based in N’djamena, Chad Republic, despite the country being at what he calls “the low ebb of resources caused by COVID-19 and fallen oil prices.”
Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said his principal gave the assurance while receiving Ambassador Mamman Nuhu , Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission and Head of Mission, MNJTF.
President Buhari said despite paucity of resources, security of Nigeria and that of her neighbours must have pride of place, “so I will consult with all the relevant officials, and we will do our best.”
Ambassador Nuhu gave the President updates on the proposed recharge of Lake Chad, which he said was one of the priorities of Lake Chad Basin Commission, “and for which you have great passion,” informing that the governments of China and Italy were of great support, and positive action should commence soon.
He also commended countries which have contributed troops to MNJTF, adding, however, that kinetic military approach alone would not eradicate insurgency, and emphasis must also be placed on the root causes, particularly poverty.
Meanwhile, the president has lauded the appointment of Dr Wale Okediran as Secretary-General of Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), saying “the appointment once again attests to the excellence exhibited by Nigerians in almost all areas of human endeavour.”
Okediran, a medical doctor-turned-writer, was President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and former member of the House of Representatives.
The President described his appointment as “round peg in a round hole,” as Dr Okediran has made name and reputation as a skillful writer and author of many books.
President Buhari urged the PAWA Secretary-General, who will be domiciled in Ghana for his tenure of office, to continue bearing aloft the flag of Nigeria.
