Nigeria’s dream of becoming a non Permanent Member of the
United Nations got a boost during the week as the African Union has endorsed
its quest for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru,
told journalists on Friday at the sideline of the ongoing 21st ordinary session
of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU holding in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ashiru spoke just as President Goodluck Jonathan arrived
in Addis Ababa for the summit.
The minister said the decision was taken at a meeting of
ministers of the union’s 50-member states on Thursday evening.
He said having earlier secured the backing of the Economic
Community of West African States for the seat, Nigeria will now concentrate on
reaching out to other regional groups since two-third of the nations is needed.
The minister said the decision to endorse Nigeria was taken
unanimously by those who attended the meeting.
He said, “The endorsement was done based on our nation’s
track record and achievements. It was done unanimously.
“The next step is for us to reach out to other regional
groups like Asia, Europe and America.
“But one thing is sure, the regional endorsement that we
have secured is like obtaining a B+ already. Other regional groups will only
shore up the score.”
Ashiru added that the endorsement had further confirmed
Nigeria’s robust foreign policy.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Ambassador Martins Uhonmoibhi, said this was the first time since 1960 that
Nigeria would be getting the seat ‘back-to-back.’
He said with Nigeria’s role in peace keeping across the
world, the nation deserved to get the seat and have a say in global affairs.
“There is no taxation without representation. Nigeria is
demanding that because it has done peace keeping role since 1960, it has a
right to determine how the world is governed,” he said.
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