President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted an invitation from the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, to a meeting of world leaders in New York which is expected to formulate a fresh plan of action against extremism.

Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) Garba Shehu disclosed this in a statement issued last night in Abuja.

President Barack Obama and President Francois Hollande of France are also expected to participate in the September 28 meeting which will, among other things, deliberate on a new United Nations draft resolution on combating extremism worldwide.

Shehu said that Mr. Ban Ki-moon also invited President Buhari to a meeting of a select group of 25 World leaders in New York on September 27 to deliberate on a global climate change agreement.

“In offering the invitations Monday in Abuja, the Secretary-General said they were in recognition of the political will demonstrated by President Buhari in combating terror in Nigeria and dealing with environmental issues,” according to the statement.

It said that Mr. Ban Ki-moon applauded moves by the Buhari Administration to clean up Ogoniland and promised the full support of the United Nations for the exercise.

Shehu quoted the UN Secretary-General as assuring President Buhari: “We will find ways to complement your leadership on environmental reform. We are happy with your plans for the restoration of Ogoniland and we will see how we can help.”

Ki-moon was also quoted as saying that the UN will welcome President Buhari’s “input and experience” in finalising plans to introduce a new resolution against extremism at the General Assembly.

•Photo shows President Buhari welcoming UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to to the Aso Presidential Villa in Abuja . . . yesterday.

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