Buhari to host UN General Assembly president Maria Espinosa in Abuja tomorrow

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will host the president of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Maria Espinosa tomorrow when she pays a one-day official visit to Nigeria as part of an eight-day African tour.

Ms Espinosa is embarking on an ambitious tour of the continent that will see her visit nations across West and Central Africa. Her spokesperson, Monica Gravley, said cabinet ministers would join Buhari in receiving Espinosa, who would also later meet with students of the University of Abuja.

She added that Ms Espinosa is expected to speak on the role of multilateralism and how to respond to global challenges in a fast-changing world. Ms Gravley said Ms Espinosa would also meet UN officials in the country and take part in a discussion with women on their role in promoting multilateralism.

Multilateralism is an alliance of several nations pursuing a common goal. Under the programme, the UN is seeking to bind powerful nations, discourage unilateralism and give small powers a voice and influence they could not otherwise exercise.

Unilateralism has been characterised by the economic and military dominance of world powers such as the US, which has led other powerful nations, including China and India, to question the relevance of the UN. While in Africa, Ms Espinosa will also visit Nigeria's neighbours Chad and Ghana where she will meet with the presidents and top officials of both countries.