PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES SHIRLEY AYORKOR, ON HER ELECTION AS THE INCOMING SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH 26-10-24
By Sadiq Aminu President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on her election as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
The 61-year-old former lawmaker, elected on Friday by leaders of the 56 Commonwealth Nations, meeting in Apia, Samoa, is expected to assume office on April 1, next year, as the 7th Secretary-General.
Botchwey is the second African to be elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth in its 75-year history, after Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served in that position from July 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, emphasises that she had the backing of Nigeria for the top Commonwealth job.
The statement says President Tinubu believes that Botchwey’s extensive career in public administration, foreign affairs and regional development makes her a perfect fit for the job.
He trusts that Botchwey’s leadership experience will bring renewed energy to the Commonwealth’s efforts to advance meaningful economic and political partnerships that drive development and amplify the bloc’s voice in global affairs.
It says the President looks forward to working with the incoming Secretary-General to advance the Commonwealth’s vision of fostering peace, equity, and prosperity for all member nations.
The President reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to championing a Commonwealth that prioritises strengthening intra-Commonwealth trade, African exports, and a unified presence at the United Nations that supports an African bid for a permanent representation at the Security Council.
According to the statement, President Tinubu thanks the outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for her years of leadership, and wishes her the best in her future endeavours.