By John Ikani
The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande is soliciting the support of member states for two Nigerian candidates vying for two UN committee seats.
The envoy presented Amb. Peters Emuze and Mrs Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia on Friday at a reception at the Nigeria House in New York.
Emuze is vying for re-election into the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Eghobamien-Mshelia is seeking election into the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Committee.
Muhammad-Bande described them as “outstanding candidates” and urged nations to vote for them.
Addressing the reception, Emuze said he was seeking re-election into CESCR, contesting for one of the two remaining vacant positions for Africa.
“Egypt and Morocco have been elected in 2021 and as matter of fact, Egypt currently chairs the Committee as a member of the Africa Group,” he said.
Emuze solicited for votes and support for his re-election for a second term as the election holds on April 13.
“I thank you for honouring our invitation and I kindly urge you to vote for Nigeria,” he said.
On her part, Eghobamien-Mshelia pledged robust gender programmes for member states.
“We have a long way to go to realise gender equality. For me, Artificial Intelligence and robotics are sub-sectors to understand in promoting gender issues.
“As the digital economy is unfolding, gender issues should be central. A general recommendation on gender and digital economy is something I will work with you to achieve”, she said.
