VICE President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the just concluded 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
At the gathering, Shettima who presented Nigeria’s National Statement had called on world leaders to recommit themselves to the reform of the United Nations Security Council with a view to giving Nigeria and other African countries permanent seats, stressing that it has since become imperative for the UN to strengthen its relevance and credibility in a rapidly changing world. He said, “Some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have offered encouraging, if tentative indications of support on the issue of reform of the Council. We welcome the change in tone and urge an acceleration in momentum to the process. “The Security Council should be expanded, in the permanent and non-permanent member categories, to reflect the diversity and plurality of the world. We fully support the efforts of Secretary-General Guterres in this regard”.
The Nigerian leader also reminded the world leaders that the United Nations stands for multilateralism which represents inclusiveness, anchored on the tripod of peace, sustainable development and human rights.
According to him, “From last year’s summit, and indeed from previous years, we have carried over the numerous challenges of terrorism, armed conflict, inequality, poverty, racial discrimination, human rights abuses, food crises, hunger, irregular migration, piracy, global pandemics, hyper-inflation, nuclear proliferation, grinding debt burden, climate change, and a host of other vexations. “The continued manifestation of these challenges testifies to our failings rather than to any lofty achievements on our part. Billions of dollars are being committed to the prosecution of wars and the fanning of the embers of conflict.”
He also lamented what he described as the return of unconstitutional changes of government and forceful military coups in some African countries, saying these coups attest to how fragile democracy could become when it is not supported by economic development and sustained peace and security.
The Vice President, had also engaged in several bilateral meetings and numerous sideline events at the General Assembly. However, Nkwocha disclosed that the Vice President will join President Tinubu to mark some events put together as part of activities commemorating Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary.
