Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and expectations in time of COVID-19

The newly appointed Chief of Staff to President Buhari,   Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, is no doubt  a competent hand, having perused his curriculum vitae. Briefly, he is the first Nigerian to occupy the seat of the Deputy Secretary-General to the United Nations and Adviser to the Secretary -General of the African Union (1990-1999). Prior to these […]

The newly appointed Chief of Staff to President Buhari,   Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, is no doubt  a competent hand, having perused his curriculum vitae.

Briefly, he is the first Nigerian to occupy the seat of the Deputy Secretary-General to the United Nations and Adviser to the Secretary -General of the African Union (1990-1999).

Prior to these appointments, he was the Nigerian Minister of External Affairs from 1984 – 85, before his appointment as the country’s Permanent Ambassador to the UN in 1990-1999. He was also the Executive Head of UNICEF in 1999.

Earlier on, Gambari started his career as a university lecturer at the University Queen’s College in America between 1969 and 1974 and after his return, he joined the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as a Senior Lecturer from 1977-1980, where he rose to become a professor in 1983. His excellent publications earned him the honorary award of the President Jacob Zuma of South Africa in 2012.

He was the first Chancellor of the Kwara State University and also until his appointment, the Chairman of Governing Council, Bayero University Kano.

With his commitment and administrative prowess, he has succeeded in establishing a research centre, Savannah, in Abuja.

Prof. Gambari has built a reputation not known only in Nigeria, but in the global arena. This had heightened the expectation when it was announced that he was the appointed Chief of Staff to Mr. President.

Now that the world is being plagued by the dreaded COVID-19, the likes of Gambari could be a good resource to Nigeria as a country.

This global citizen is expected to deploy his influence that will help Nigeria to get the required number of the personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and the newly discovered and manufactured vaccines already about to be used in advanced countries. He is indeed an asset to President Buhari and the nation at large.

I want to finally wish Prof. Gambari, the very best and congratulate him on this appointment.

We are all happy to have you back, Sir. Wishing you good luck.

Abubakar A. Yakasai  from BUK, Kano    [email protected]