JONATHAN RALLIES SUPPORT FOR NIGERIA'S MEMBERSHIP OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

Before a galaxy of world leaders Tuesday in New York, President Goodluck Jonathan advanced reasons why Nigeria should be a member of the United Nations Security Council.The president, in his address at the opening of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, cited Nigeria’s commendable performance on previous occasions when it held a non-permanent seat on the council as one of the reasons why the global community should elect it into the council again for the 2014-2015 session. Nigeria’s frontline roles in peacekeeping operations in countries such as Liberia, Mali, Guinea Bissau, among others, where Nigerian troops were deployed along with UN troops to maintain peace in the countries, he said, should earn it a place on the council. Member nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), he added, have also endorsed Nigeria to occupy the post. Nigeria is however up against The Gambia, which is challenging it for the seat. Confirming the speculation that Nigeria’s interest lies in being a permanent member of the council, Jonathan told the world body that developing countries were concerned because of the non-democratic nature of the UN General Assembly. He said: “Our support for the United Nations Security Council in its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security has been total and unwavering. “We have, in previous membership of the council, demonstrated both the political will and capacity to engage in key council responsibilities.

“I am pleased to state that Nigeria has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. We therefore urge this august assembly to endorse Nigeria’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.” The president also called for faster action towards the democratisation of the Security Council, saying Nigeria and other developing countries were concerned about the lack of progress in the reform of the UN. “I believe that I express the concerns of many about the slow pace of effort and apparent lack of progress in the reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council. “We believe strongly that the call for democratisation worldwide should not be for states only, but also for international organisations such as the United Nations. “That is why we call for the democratisation of the Security Council.  This is desirable for the enthronement of justice, equity, and fairness; and also for the promotion of a sense of inclusiveness and balance in our world,” he said.The president also spoke on issues affecting global peace, urging world leaders to unite in confronting these challenges if global peace must persist.

He had on Monday spoken in the same vein at a meeting with the United States President Barack Obama during which the two presidents pledged their commitment to fight terrorism in Nigeria and the world. He said: “Our world continues to be confronted by pressing problems and threats. No statement that will be made during this session can exhaust the extent of these problems. “The world looks to us, as leaders, to provide hope in the midst of crisis, to provide guidance through difficult socio-political divisions, and to ensure that we live in a better world. “We have obligations to the present generation, but we have a greater obligation to generations yet unborn who should one day inherit a world of sufficiency irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or where they reside on the globe. We must work to make that world a reality in recognition of our common heritage. “We must dedicate ourselves to working together to address global, regional and national challenges and deliver a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous world for all. It is our duty. We must not fail.

“Terrorism constitutes a major threat to global peace and security, and undermines the capacity for sustained development. In Nigeria, the threat of terrorism in a few states in the North-eastern part of our country has proven to be a major challenge to national stability. “We are therefore confronting it with every resource at our disposal with due regard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law. “The reign of terror anywhere in the world is an assault on our collective humanity. Three days ago, the stark reality of this menace was again brought to the fore by the dastardly terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. We must stand together to win this war together.” He welcomed Nigeria’s selection as co-chair of the UN Expert Committee on Financing Sustainable Development, saying: “The importance of this committee’s assignment cannot be overstated. “For the post-2015 development agenda to be realistic, it must be backed by a robust financing framework which I hope will receive the strong backing of our organisation’s more endowed members.” The president also congratulated UN member-states on the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty, just as he condemned the reported use of chemical weapons in the Syrian crisis and welcomed current diplomatic efforts to avert a further escalation of the crisis in the country. Jonathan also urged world leaders to adopt measures and policies that will promote nuclear disarmament, protect and renew the world’s environment, and push towards an international system that is based on trust, mutual respect and shared goals.