UNITED NATIONS – Members of the United Nations General Assembly have chosen the Nigerian ambassador to the world body as its next president.
They elected Tijjani Muhammad-Bande (teeh-JAH'-neeh moo-HAH'-mahd BAN-deeh) by acclamation on Tuesday to preside over the 74th U.N. session for one year, starting in September.
He's the second Nigerian president of the 193-member policy-making General Assembly. Joseph Nanven Garba was president during the 1989-1990 session.
Muhammad-Bande succeeds Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador.
The incoming president told General Assembly members that when the United Nations convenes in September, its highest priorities will include climate change, universal health coverage, gender equality and the eradication of poverty and hunger.
The 61-year-old career diplomat is a native of Zagga in northwest Nigeria and has a master's degree in political science from Boston University.
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