By Hannatu Jummai
Nigeria’s Ms Ugochi Daniels, has been appointed in the International Office of Migration (IOM) as its Deputy Director-General for Operations.
This was revealed in a statement by IOM Director-General Mr Antonio Vitorino on Wednesday.
Ms Daniels alongside Mr Bernardo Joaquim of Mozambique and Ms Alexandra Bilak of Azerbaijan were shortlisted from 15 candidates who vied for the position.
Vitorino thus, expressed hope that Daniels would bring to the IOM, her wealth of experience in the multilateral system, given her track record of achievements in various United Nations bodies where she previously worked.
The statement further said that Vitorino also appointed Ms Amy Pope as IOM’s Deputy Director General for Management and Reforms.
“I am confident that Ms Daniels and Ms Pope – as our two Deputy Directors General – will demonstrate effective leadership throughout their tenure, utilising their considerable skills in the service of member states and in support of the millions of people whose lives depend on the organisation, as the world emerges from the global pandemic,” Vitorino added.
It would be recalled that Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama led campaigns for Daniel’s appointment, following her nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Daniels had previously worked in various UN entities including serving as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) resident envoy to Iran.
