The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has arrived Nigeria on a two-day official visit, his first since assuming office on January 1, 2017.
Guterres arrived at the Maiduguri International Airport, Borno state, at about 1pm on Tuesday.
Guterres, during the two-day working visit will interface with his host, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state and also interact with surrendered fighters and victims of Boko Haram insurgency.
According to the United Nations information center in Nigeria, Guterres will also evaluate the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and assess progress made as well as the challenges to the COVID-19 recovery.
Shortly after rounding off his agenda in Borno, the Secretary-General will then head to Nigeria’s capital to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo as well as other top cabinet officials.
In Abuja, Guterres is billed to officiate a wreath-laying ceremony for victims of the 2011 bombing at the U.N. house and will then meet with young people’s delegates, women, religious leaders and diplomatic communities and journalists.
The visit came shortly after Guterres had visited Senegal, where he took part in a traditional Ramadan sunset meal with President Macky Sall who also doubles as the chairperson of the African Union.
He had also visited Niger to offer support and solidarity to victims of terrorism & violent extremism.