Osinbajo advocates African unity as he receives special envoy from Egyptian President

• Discusses Niger Delta Modular Refineries with Society of Chemical Engineers
• Receives new board of Agric Bank
It is important that African countries remain united so that the continent would take its place in the international community as it stands to benefit the must that way.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, said this on Friday while receiving in audience a Special Envoy from the Egyptian President Abd El-Fattah El-Sisi, Ms. Moushira Khattab, who is vying for the position of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation, (UNESCO).
“We have seen the great importance of UNESCO,” Prof. Osinbajo noted, adding that this is especially so at a time the Federal Government is confronting the challenges in North-East including the planning for the education of hundreds of thousands of displaced children.
He added: “It is important that Africa remains united to take its place, and we stand to benefit the most that way, including in the work of UNESCO.
On the UNESCO election Special Envoy Khattab said that the African Union has pledged to support her candidacy in the forthcoming UNESCO election. She therefore requested Nigeria’s support, considering, according to her, the important role of Nigeria “and the great respect that you enjoy in Africa and globally.”
Osinbajo then assured the Special Envoy that Nigeria would explore and consider the matter. He thanked the envoy for the visit and extended President Muhammadu Buhari’s friendly greetings to his Egyptian counterpart.
Special Envoy Khattab also conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Egyptian President to President Buhari, for speedy recovery and safe return to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, in another development, Acting President stated that it was evident that Nigerians have the knowledge, expertise and experience in virtually all areas of human endeavour to do anything required in the development of the country.
He made the assertion earlier today during a meeting with members of Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineers who visited him at the Presidential Villa to discuss Federal Government’s policy on Modular Refineries in the Niger Delta.
“The experience and expertise we need to do anything is here in our country, that is evident, “ he said, while stressing that his interaction with the group of engineers on the modular refineries have been extremely useful.
He said the FG would be guided by the insight provided by the delegation from the Society of Chemical Engineers that included university professors and former chief executives of NNPC firms and refineries.
Members of the delegation of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers led by its President, Prof. Sam Adefila, included the Vice President, Engr. Onochie Anyaoku, Past presidents: Prof. Ayo Ogunye, Dr John Erinne, Engr Jide Soyode, and Engr. Alex Ogedegbe. Others are Engr. Tony Ogbuigwe and Engr. Samuel Bosoro, Executive Secretary of the society.
Earlier, he also received a delegation of the newly reconstituted board of the Bank of Agriculture, BOA, led by the Managing Director, Mr. Kabir Mohammed. He urged the new board to be innovative and creative, while also putting in place a rigorous and effective governance system that would make the bank attractive.
The Acting President also received a courtesy call today from the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi, III.