Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande presenting a plaque to a UK diplomat in 2014 (Source: gov.uk)

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, to preside over the 81st Plenary of the 193-member body.

Bande’s appointment as Acting President of the General Assembly is coming less than a week after he presented his credentials to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

The appointment became necessary following the absence of the President of the Assembly, Peter Thomson, who is on an official visit to the Central African Republic.

Earlier in the week, Bande told journalists that the goodwill and favour Nigeria has been getting since his assumption of duty is an indication that the international community had waited for the appointment of Nigeria.

He also promised to use the opportunity, which is the highest position Nigeria would attain in the UN after it was appointed as one of the 21 Vice Presidents in June 2016, to promote the image of the country.

“I intend to leverage on this and continue to leverage on Nigeria’s image in positive light,” Bande said.