By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigeria has reiterated commitment to join hands with other countries and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure accountability, human rights, accelerate economic growth, and unhindered global supply of coronavirus vaccines.
President Muhammadu Buhari made the pledge in a video message to the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Debate, saying Nigeria will keep on working with member states for global well being.
The theme of this year’s debate is ”The Future We Want, The United Nations We Need: Reaffirming Our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism- Confronting Coronavirus Through Effective Multilateral Action.”
Buhari described the theme as most appropriate and timely because it captures the common desire for a renewed and revitalised organisation in need of multilateral approaches to the many challenges facing the world.
His words: ”As we reflect on the future we want and the United Nations we need, we must realise that the people of the world not only look up to us: they count on us.
”If the United Nations system cannot mobilise the world to marshal out a truly effective and inclusive response to the coronavirus pandemic, then the United Nations would have failed in the core mission of giving expression, direction and solution to the yearnings of the international community.
”The future we want must guarantee human rights, human dignity, human prospects and prosperity. The principles of ‘Leaving No One Behind and Doing No Harm’ must be expressed through accountability, strategic growth initiatives and elimination of threats of all kinds.”
Sustainable economic growth
Buhari said in the quest for hope and prosperity for all Nigerians, his administration has embarked on measures to ensure national resilience.
”We intend to achieve this through the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan and the Medium Term National Development for the period 2020-2025 and 2026-2030.
”We expect that these ambitious initiatives will deliver sustainable economic growth and development to Nigeria.”
He expressed concern that coronavirus has devastated the world economy and strained the health systems of all countries.
”In the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria, we prioritised vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons and the unemployed, in our efforts to provide medical and social assistance to cushion the socio-economic effects of the disease.
”Accordingly, we have expanded our National Social Register, to include an additional one million Nigerians.
“Our National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) has been the vehicle for reaching out to the poor and vulnerable members of the Nigerian population, as well as providing cover for over 12 million households.”
Buhari expressed appreciation to the UN for launching a $2 billion Global Response Plan to fund coronavirus response in the poorest countries.
He also commended UN Secretary General, António Guterres, for calling for cease fire in conflict areas to enable humanitarian assistance reach groups vulnerable to coronavirus.
Buhari said in order to mitigate poverty in Nigeria, his administration is disbursing N10.9 billion to households on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as palliatives.
Combating global poverty
He added that a N500 billion stimulus package and delivery of humanitarian aid to poor households have been established, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (GBN) has launched a N3.5 trillion package to boost manufacturing and import substitution.
He urged the cooperation of the international community in addressing the scourge of poverty, particularly in developing countries.
He commended the President of the 74th UN General Assembly, Prof Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria, for launching the Alliance for Poverty Eradication (APE) in June.
Buhari enjoined global leaders, particularly from the global North, to support the APE at a time the COVID-19 is reversing the gains of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), pushing another 500 million people into extreme poverty.
Buhari said Nigeria remains deeply concerned over the illicit trade, transfer and circulation of small arms and light weapons, particularly in Africa.
He called on the international community to renew efforts to stem this traffic and promote the Arms Trade Treaty in order to codify accountability in the battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and piracy.
He urged world leaders to redouble efforts to ensure collective security, noting that the litany of sophisticated terrorist attacks across the globe is a harsh reality of the challenges the world is facing today.
”In Nigeria, we are still facing violent extremism from the insurgency of Boko Haram and bandits.
”We continue to count on our strong cooperation with UN Counter-Terrorism bodies and neighbouring countries to overcome the terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel Region.
”We will vigorously sustain the rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of victims of terrorism and insurgency in the North East. The North East Development Commission has been established for that purpose.”
Call for international support
Buhari counselled that global aspiration to recover from the impact of COVID-19 will not be fully met without addressing structures that make it more difficult for countries to generate and retain their financial resources.
He thanked Muhammad-Bande and former President of the Economic and Social Council, Mona Jul, for jointly launching the High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (FACTI) for Achieving the 2030 Agenda.
The video speech also touched other issues of interest to Nigeria ranging from SDGs, nuclear disarmament, climate change and migration to human rights, women empowerment and gender parity, quality education and UN reform.
“We are convinced that recharging … Lake [Chad] will improve the living conditions of our people in the area, promote inter-state cooperation, strengthen community resilience and assist in addressing environmental and security challenges threatening the region and its resources.”
Buhari renewed his call for international support for the regional efforts to raise $50 billion required to actualise this initiative.
He announced that Nigeria will host the 4th International Conference on Safe Schools in 2021, as “quality education for all is the cornerstone of sustainable development.
”I invite you all to Nigeria to participate in the conference which aims to advocate for the protection of education from attack as we work together towards the future we want.”
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promoting international peace and security and sustainable development, as well as strengthening partnerships and cooperation with international organisations.