By SANI IDRIS
JAJI (KADUNA STATE)- The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Mrs Amina Mohammed, on Monday commended Nigeria’s effort in contributing to global peace.
Amina stated this while on a courtesy visit to the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) Jaji, Kaduna State.
She expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s effort at curtailing internal security challenges within the available resources at its disposal.
Amina noted that peace was not only desirable in Africa, but the world in general.
“Nigeria has faced many trying times and tribulations since independence, but we still remain indivisible, all due to efforts of the armed forces,” Amina said.
She explained that Nigeria’s insecurity is trans-border in nature which she said requires all hands to be on deck to address.
Amina stressed the need for investment in human capital development as a means to address the root causes of conflict in any society.
She also stressed the need for a stronger democracy by upholding the social contract between the leaders and the led in many part of the world.
The deputy secretary-general called for more opportunities for women to be enablers of exhibiting their leadership traits.
She expressed optimism for a peaceful transition in the coming 2023 general elections, noting however, that the positive or negative outcomes would have impact on the rest of the world.
“The world has faced many challenges, ranging from COVID-19, climate change, Russia and Ukraine war and many others, where Nigeria has nothing to do with the cause but have everything to do with the body.
“Nigeria has passed through some of the global issues and is still passing through many; among which is socio-economic burden, we are hopeful, Nigeria is a beacon of hope,”she said.
She expressed delight about the MLAILPKC partnership with International donors which according to her brings together an avenue for good endeavour where development happens and human rights are attained.
Earlier, Commandant of the MLAILPKC, Maj.-Gen. Auwal Fagge, said the centre would leverage on the UN deputy secretary-general’s visit in ensuring further partnerships with relevant bodies.
He said the centre would also lay more emphasis on improved training and educating peace-keepers on gender mainstreaming, sexual exploitation among others, line with the centre’s mandate.
Fagge solicited for more collaboration with the UN in the areas of infrastructure development, training sponsorship, ICT, among others with a view to upscaling the centre’s productivity in the discharge of its mandate.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that highlight of the visit was a guided tour of facilities and planting of tree at the centre by the deputy secretary- general.(NAN)
