By John Ikani
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Baroness Patricia Scotland, QC, on her reappointment as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
Leaders of the Commonwealth meeting in Kigali, Rwanda on Friday reappointed Hon. Scotland by consensus for a further two years to complete the balance of her period in office.
In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, the Nigerian leader commended the purposeful leadership of the Dominican-born barrister and diplomat in the last six years championing the values of the association in the areas of youth, women and childcare, trade, among others.
The President expressed gladness that under her tenure the organization is alive to its responsibilities in promoting shared commonwealth values and aspirations aimed at supporting collective interventions in health, climate change, environment, sustainable energy, ocean protection and blue economies, small and vulnerable island states, good governance, rule of law and democracy.
President Buhari wished the Secretary General a very successful term in office, thanking her for being very supportive of Nigeria during her term in office.
He said: “My firm belief is that the Commonwealth will survive and thrive for as long as the principles of justice and equity remain the cornerstone of our political, economic and social contract”.
The Nigerian leader also welcomed the various Declarations presented for consideration and adoption during CHOGM 2022 namely; the Declaration on Sustainable Urbanization; the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter; and the Kigali Declaration on Childcare and Protection Reform.
He noted that the letter and spirit of these declarations are relevant to the common desire and aspirations to promote international peace and security, sustainable economic growth, development and the rule of law, good governance, democracy, respect for human rights and gender equality.
It is worthwhile to note that the Commonwealth Heads of State and Governments, CHOGM, meeting which is holding in Kigali Rwanda is focused on harnessing the Youths as a means of raising prductivity and enhancing National Development.
This the first Face to Face meeting of the Commonwealth since the Outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which has changed much of what people see as day to day running and has also led to a crash in Worldwide Economic output and Development.
Nigeria last hosted the CHOGM meeting in 2003 under the adminstration of Fomer President Olusegun Obasanjo.
A Nigerian, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, was also te Secretary General of the Commonwealth for a period of ten years between 1990-2000.
