Olusegun Obasanjo appointed by the UN.

Ex-president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.

He would be providing advice on
mediation initiatives along with 17 other
current and former global leaders

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has
got an appointment into UN high level
advisory board

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has
been appointed into the United Nations
(UN) High-Level Advisory Board on
mediation along with 17 other current
and former global leaders. Nigerian Tribune reports that the Secretary-General, Antonio Gutierrez, had in September announced the
establishment of the board to provide
him with advice on mediation initiatives
and back specific mediation efforts
around the world. It is also gathered that the Board is composed of 18 current and former
global leaders, senior officials and renowned experts who bring together an unparalleled range of experience, skills, knowledge and contacts.

The Secretary-General explained that the establishment of the Board is part of the “surge in diplomacy for peace” he has consistently advocated, and gives due priority to the prevention and mediation work of the United Nations. The Board is expected to allow the UN to work more effectively with regional organizations, non-governmental groups
and others involved in mediation around the world. In the announcement of the
appointments, the world body described
Obasanjo as one of the most distinguished elder statesmen of Africa. It added:

“He served as President of the
Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007,
and before that as the Head of the Federal
Military Government of Nigeria and
Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian
Armed Forces from 1976 to 1979.
"Over his long career, Mr. Obasanjo has
been involved in numerous international
mediation efforts, including in Angola,
Burundi, Mozambique, Namibia and South
Africa. In 2008 he was appointed the UN
Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on the
Great Lakes region.”


Also appointed into the board are
President Michelle Bachelet (Chile) who
is serving her second non-consecutive
term as president; Radhika
Coomaraswamy (Sri Lanka); a 2011 Nobel
Peace Laureate, Leymah Gbowee
(Liberia); Jean-Marie Guéhenno (France),
former President of Finland, Tarja
Halonen (Finland); David Harland (New
Zealand), Noeleen Heyzer (Singapore),
and Nasser Judeh (Jordan).