Buhari to run for second term

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday told the national executive committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that he will be contesting for a second term as Nigerian president.

"President @Buhari has just announced his intention to seek the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contest for a second term of Office in the 2019 elections," the presidency said on Twitter.

"Victory is sure by the grace of God and together we must continue to sanitise Nigeria's political environment," said Buhari in a statement issued by the presidency.

Buhari, a 75-year-old former general and military head of state, was voted into power in 2015 on a platform vowing to crack down on endemic graft and stamp out the Boko Haram insurgency devastating the country's northeast.

His government has made gains against the jihadist group, but Boko Haram is still capable of staging deadly attacks on military and civilian targets.

 UN body names Messi responsible tourism ambassador

Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi attends a training session in Madrid on March 25, 2018 ahead of an international friendly football match between Spain and Argentina. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

The UN World Tourism Organization said Monday it has appointed FC Barcelona’s Argentine star Lionel Messi as an ambassador to promote responsible tourism.

“During my travels I have had the opportunity to know other cultures and societies as well as other ways to see the world and this is very enriching,” Messi said in a statement released by the Madrid-based United Nations body announcing his nomination.

“I am happy I can join this mission of promoting responsible tourism,” the five-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award added as the body steps up its campaign to minimise harm tourism can cause to the environment and historical sites.

The UN body defines “responsible tourism” as tourism that “helps maximise the sector’s benefits while minimising its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies across the globe”.

World Tourism Organization chief Zurab Pololikashvili said it was a “great honour” to have Messi promote “the positive values and benefits that tourism represents.

“Messi is a unique sportsman and an example of how willpower and constant work yield good results,” he added.

The 30-year-old is the leading scorer in La Liga this season with 29 goals and is also the all-time top marksman in Spain’s top flight.

He is also the top scorer in the history of Barcelona and Argentina.