Buhari hails ‘impressive’ election of Nigerian-born Iwobi as senator in Italy

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Tony Iwobi, a Nigerian-born man elected senator in Italy.

Iwobi is the first black politician to be elected into the Italian parliament.

In a statement on Friday, Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media, said Buhari met with Iwobi alongside a high-powered team from the Italian senate.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations general assembly in New York on Thursday.

Adesina said their discussions centred around illegal migration, how it can be curbed through investment in Africa, and the recharge of the Lake Chad via inter-basin water transfer, among others.

“Africa doesn’t need charity, but collaboration to develop,’’ Iwobi was quoted as saying.

On his part, Buhari attributed irregular migration from developing to developed countries to lack of security, education, and healthcare, among other factors.

“Climate change has had negative impact on a big country like Nigeria,” Buhari said.

“That is why our youths often defy the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, to try and get to Europe. It is a problem that needs to be solved.”

The president described Iwobi’s election as “very impressive”.

“My congratulations to you, and to Italy more. It shows the advanced respect of Italians for human beings, in spite of colour. It’s very impressive,” he said.

Iwobi is of Nigerian descent and has lived in Italy for 41 years.