UNGA: Nigeria demands Security Council seat

• Cites 41 peacekeeping missions, others
• Shettima arrives in New York for summit

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has addressed the 79th United Nations General Assembly, emphasising Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to international peace and security.

Speaking at the Summit of the Future Interactive Dialogue 2, tagged, “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security,” on Sunday, Badaru recalled that since the nation’s first deployment in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria had contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions globally.

The minister called for reform of the UN Security Council to ensure Africa was represented with permanent seats, arguing that it would enhance global stability.

“Under the regional and sub-regional cooperation, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in field missions in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan and Sierra Leone, among others, and has contributed a lot in terms of finance, logistics, troops and civilian experts, making her one of the most significant African troops and police contributors to the United Nations missions.

“It is on this basis that Nigeria continues to call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to give just representation to Africa on a permanent basis for inclusivity and deepening of global peace and security.”

The minister stressed the importance of building professional African armies to combat terrorism and called for the operationalisation of the African Standby Force.

He also highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies to tackle transnational crimes and illegal arms trafficking, particularly in the Sahel region.

“We recognise the need for Africa to build strong and professional armies, in order to, among other things, defeat terrorism.

“Nigeria calls for the operationalisation of the African Standby Force (ASF) and provision of requisite support and resources to ensure the upgrade, take off and effectiveness of a centre of excellence in Africa on issues of counter terrorism.

“We reiterate the call to strengthen regional and sub-regional cooperation, build capacities of member states, promote cooperation and understanding, as well as defuse tensions, and seek peaceful settlement of disputes to resolve conflicts especially in the Middle-East and Ukraine,” he said.

MEANWHILE, Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in New York to represent Nigeria at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The Vice President touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport, yesterday, where he was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf M. Tuggar; Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr ‘Bosun Tijani.