Encomium
Nigerian women will continue to have pride of place in the current administration, President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged.
The President spoke Tuesday at State House, Abuja, while receiving in audience the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Mrs Winnie Byanyima.
“Women hold strategic positions in this administration. The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is headed by a woman. The Civil Service of the Federation is headed by a woman. And many others like that. We will continue to do our best to empower our women,” President Buhari said.
On infrastructure renewal, he noted that the country lost good opportunities, ‘but we can’t continue to cry over spilt milk. We are now doing our best in concert with some developed countries.”
The UNAIDS Executive Director described President Buhari as “a Nigerian and African hero,” stating that exploits by Nigeria in the control of the COVID-19 pandemic and HIV/AIDS are quite commendable.
“I salute your leadership in Nigeria and Africa. It is very robust. I praise you for it,” Mrs Byanyima added.
She implored Nigeria to be represented at the very highest level during the special meeting on HIV/AIDS by the United Nations in June, stressing that the meeting, which holds every five years, is meant to renew the resolve by the world to eliminate AIDS by 2030.
The Executive Director asked that more women be helped to take part in active politics, submitting: “Nigeria has great women. I admire this country. Please open more space for them in active politics.”
PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 4. President Muhammadu Buhari (M), UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima (3rd left), Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehinare and Chief of Staff to the President Prof Ibrahim Gambari(right), UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. Mr Edward Kallon and UNAIDS Country Director, Erasmus Morah during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 3. R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari, UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. Mr Edward Kallon and UNAIDS Country Director, Erasmus Morah during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 2B. President Muhammadu Buhari introduces the Portraiture of former Heads of State to the UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 2A. President Muhammadu Buhari interoduces the Portraiture of former Heads of State to the UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 5. L-R. UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima, President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehinare and Chief of Staff to the President Prof Ibrahim Gambari during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 7A&B. President Muhammadu Buhari chat with the UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima (3rd left). With are Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehinare (2nd right), Chief of Staff to the President Prof Ibrahim Gambari (1st right) and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 6. President Muhammadu Buhari (M) flanked by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehinare (3rd right), UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima (5the left). Others are Chief of Staff to the President Prof Ibrahim Gambari (2nd right), Assistant Director Saidu Dodo (1st right), UNAIDS Country Director, Mr. Erasmus Morah, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, UNDP Permanent Representative, Mr Mohamed Yahyah, Paula Aubenson-Munderi and others during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 8. Chief of Staff to the President Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehinare, UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima and UNAIDS Country Director, Erasmus Morah (left) during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 7A&B. President Muhammadu Buhari chat with the UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima (3rd left). With are Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehinare (2nd right), Chief of Staff to the President Prof Ibrahim Gambari (1st right) and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 9. President Muhammadu Buhari (M) flanked by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehinare (3rd right), UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima (5the left). Others are Chief of Staff to the President Prof Ibrahim Gambari (2nd right), Assistant Director Saidu Dodo (1st right), UNAIDS Country Director, Mr. Erasmus Morah, UN Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, UNDP Permanent Representative, Mr Mohamed Yahyah, Paula Aubenson-Munderi and others during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 1A&B. President Muhammadu Buhari receives the UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021 PRESIDENT BUHARI IN AN AUDIENCE WITH UNAIDS ED/UN UNDER SEC GEN MRS BYANYIMA 1A&B. President Muhammadu Buhari receives the UNAIDS Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nation, Mrs Winne Byanyima during an audience with her delegation held at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MARCH 9TH 2021
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
