Abuja – Nigeria has reiterated its call for Africa to have a permanent representation in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Mrs Khadijah Ibrahim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, made the call at an event to mark the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations in Abuja on Monday.
Ibrahim said that there was a need for a reform of the UNSC to grant Africa “an equitable representation in the permanent membership category”.
The minister said that the reform would also enhance Africa’s participation in the decision-making process of the council.
“Africa is the only continent in the world that regrettably has no permanent member in the UNSC.
“It is only apt that as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UN, we renew our call for the restructuring of the organs of the UN.
‘’This is necessary to make them more democratic and reflect the realities of today’s world,’’ she said.
She also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to international peace and called on the international community to promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to enhance global peace and security.
“Terrorism is a global phenomenon and its impacts know no borders because of the interconnectedness of the global community.
“Combating terrorism, therefore, requires concerted and collective efforts of the international community.
“Nigeria urges all members of the international community to dedicate themselves to the full implementation of the SDGs.
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“This is in order to drive development, promote poverty elimination, sustainable growth and development and collective ownership of the emerging process”.
In his presentation, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, a former Under-Secretary-General, United Nations, reiterated the call for Nigeria to have a permanent seat at the UNSC.
Gambari recalled that the country had contributed more than 150,000 Nigerian soldiers to international peacekeeping missions among others in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
“Today, 3,000 Nigerian peacekeepers are deployed to UN missions in Liberia, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Haiti, Yugoslavia and Lebanon.
“Furthermore, distinguished Nigerians have headed departments, funds and programmes and served as force commanders in several UN peacekeeping missions.
“Nigeria has demonstrated that it is indeed an international peacekeeping mission and qualifies on these and other economic and demographic grounds for a permanent seat in an expanded security council,” he said.
Also speaking, Ms. Jean Gough, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, said the celebration was an opportunity to take stock on achievements made by the organisation.
Gough also commended the progress made by the Federal Government in its achievement of the MDGs.
“Nigeria made visible progress in the achievement of the MDGs in the last 14 years.
“Particularly in the area of universal primary healthcare, achieving gender parity in education, reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS, reducing maternal deaths as well as halving percentage of people living in absolute hunger.
“Nigeria has been a key partner with the UN that enabled the organisation to achieve its objectives; from 1960 it has been a top contributor country to the UN peacekeeping operations,” she said.
She also commended the efforts by the government to tackle the scourge of Bokoharam insurgency and called for enhanced efforts to cater for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.
Gough reiterated the commitment of the UN to partner with Nigeria to promote peace and security.
She also called for the completion of the UN House in Abuja.
“Since the bombing of the UN House in 2011, the Federal Government has made efforts to complete the rebuilding to enable our staff in Abuja go back to their premises.
“I remain hopeful that the UN House will be completed as soon as possible, to enable our staff work from the premises next year”. (NAN)
