Nigeria: Minister of Foreign Affairs receives new Country Representative, says, ‘Nigeria is behind WHO’
Mr Onyeama acknowledged the enormous contribution by WHO over the years
towards attaining the highest levels of health by all Nigerians
ABUJA, Nigeria, July 10, 2020/ --
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama says “In this critical moment of a global fight against the COVID-19, Nigeria is
behind the World Health Organization and urges you to remain focused in
addressing not just the pandemic but other health challenges.”
The Honorable Minister made the declaration today at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs while receiving the new World Health Organization (WHO)
Country Representative (WR), Dr Walter Mulombo Kazadi who presented his
Letters of credence to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, signaling
formal resumption of duties. The presentation which took place in Abuja, was witnessed by dignitaries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
WHO country office.
During the brief ceremony, Mr Onyeama acknowledged the enormous
contribution by WHO over the years towards attaining the highest levels
of health by all Nigerians. He specifically appreciated the role of WHO
in the response to COVID-19 and said that the Presidential Task Force as well as other coordination mechanisms benefitted from WHO’s technical
expertise. “I have no doubt that you will make a positive impact on the
health of all Nigerians.”
The Honorable Minister mentioned coordination among partners, especially in the humanitarian crisis as a challenge.
WHO and Nigeria signed the first bilateral agreement in 1962 and since
then, WHO continued with a technical advisory role. Of late, the
cooperation is more structured and is based on a jointly prepared
document - - the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS). The strategy is
well aligned to the national priorities and allows WHO to support the
government’s efforts to improve the health status of all Nigerians.
In his remarks, Dr Mulombo appreciated the warm welcome to Nigeria,
noting that Nigeria’s political commitment to the COVID-19 response is
commendable and the country is among those making the difference in the
continent.
Dr Kazadi assured the Honorable Minister that he will work with other UN agencies and partners to support government in surmounting coordination challenges, especially in the humanitarian sector.
A national of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dr Kazadi, is a
longstanding and well respected WHO international expert, a public
health epidemiologist, leader and manager with over 30 years of
progressive experience (including over 15 years at international level)
in clinical practice, management of primary health care, health policy
dialogue, health planning, governance and coordination, as well as
implementation
Dr Kazadi brings to the country, extensive experience in the management
of primary health care, an important attribute and an asset in the
Nigerian context with primary health care as the bedrock of the National Health Policy and National Strategic Health Development Plan II in
support of Universal Health Coverage and health related Sustainable
Development Goals.
The WHO Representative is an accredited representative of the WHO
Director-General and the Regional Director and is responsible for all
negotiations with the host country. The WR also oversees relationships
with the government, provides security for WHO personnel and facilitates functional common services arrangements with other UN agencies.
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