Osinbajo, others want Nigeria as UN Security Council permanent member

Citing the advantages of territorial size, largest population and prominent roles in peace keeping missions in the continent, the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, who is also an ex-foreign minister and former Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari yesterday canvassed Nigeria’s inclusion as a permanent Member State of the (United Nations) Security Council.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the Nigeria launch of the Global Commission’s Report on ‘Confronting the Crisis of Global Governance,’ Osinbajo stated that “In addition we take the position that based on our peace keeping role in the United Nations, the size and strength of our economy and that the fact that our country has the largest population in the continent and the largest economy, Nigeria deserves a permanent Member State in the (United Nations) Security Council.”

Osinbajo said that “African states must learn to treat our people, not merely as statistics but as human beings worthy of dignity and respect and this can only be fully reflected in provisions by governments of social services and opportunities for their people. Of course, injustice in one state leads to insecurity and instability in neighbouring state, even in only of account of social economic consequences on the movement of refugees. Ultimately no nation is free on the consequences of injustice anywhere.

“Furthermore, Nigeria fully shares the views expressed in the report that the United Nations Security Council should be expanded including the call on the report on the use of veto (power) by five ordinary members.

“In cognizant with our view that peaceful settlement of disputes be encouraged and made more whole, we also agreed that the International Court of Justice should be strengthened and put to wider use by including by expanding thee acceptance of it’s jurisdiction and using it’s opinions creatively for global dispute,” the Vice President reiterated.

Osinbajo stressed that the success of Nigeria in this endeavour would, indeed, impact positively not only on other countries in our sub-region but the rest of Africa.