Statement By Amina Mohammed On Appointment as UN Deputy Secretary-General

Amina Mohammed(15th December, 2016): The opportunity and responsibility to serve people and planet as the next United Nations Deputy Secretary-General is truly humbling.

I am most grateful for the confidence and trust demonstrated by the United Nations Secretary-General-designate Antonio Guterres and President Muhammadu Buhari.

As directed by Mr President, I will continue in the meantime to lay strong foundations with various important ongoing initiatives critical to the government’s success in the Environment sector. These include our Nationally Determined Contributions(NDCs) under the Paris Climate Agreement, the successful launch of the first Sovereign Green Bonds in 2017, the ongoing Ogoni clean-up and development of the Great Great Wall.

The next phase of my continued service to the people of Nigeria at the global level will certainly build on the rich insights and lessons drawn from engaging with leaders, colleagues and stakeholders across our beloved nation.

Over the last 3 decades and during my contribution to the Millennium Development Goals, the Sustainable Development Goals and recently working for environmental protection as part of President Buhari’s vision to transform Nigeria, I have been blessed with the unwavering support and inspiration from leaders, my colleagues, activists, and stakeholders from the polluted creeks in the Niger Delta, to the eroded (Kumaro and Alpha) and overflowing (Makoko) communities in Lagos, Nnaka erosion site in Anambra and others, through the polluted Sharada industrial sites of Kano, the drought affected areas(Bama) in Borno as well as the degraded dunes in Yobe and others parts of the catchment area of the disappearing Lake Chad.

I will continue to work fo the rights of the poor, especially women and the youth, ensuring we leave no one behind.