Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has urged world leaders to strengthen ties among United Nations member states, emphasising the need for collective action against global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, and hunger.
In his address to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Tinubu stressed that multilateralism is the key to addressing existential challenges, but warned that individual national priorities are undermining global cooperation.
“We cannot build durable societies with the threat of terrorism, banditry, and insurgency growing in our countries and regions,” President Tinubu said. “Indeed, violent extremism remains an existential threat to both national and international peace, security, and development.”
The President’s speech underscores Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and its desire to work with other nations to address global challenges.
President Tinubu, who was represented by his vice, Kashim Shettima, stressed that multilateralism is crucial in addressing these existential threats, but individual national priorities are hindering global cooperation.
Tinubu highlighted the devastating impact of terrorism, banditry, and insurgency on societies, noting that violent extremism poses a significant threat to national and international peace, security, and development.
To combat this, he called for reforms in the international financial architecture, debt forgiveness for developing countries, and recovery of proceeds of corruption and illicit financial flows.
Addittionally, Tinubu advocated for bold reforms in the UN Security Council, including permanent seats for Nigeria and other African countries.
He emphasised that Africa deserves respect and a place in the Security Council with the same rights and responsibilities as other permanent members.
“”Africa must be accorded the respect that it deserves in the Security Council,” he stated. “Our Continent deserves a place in the permanent members category of the Security Council, with the same rights and responsibilities as other Permanent Members.”
It would be recalled that President Tinubu had only recently met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where the the 53-year-old diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
This development is expected to strengthen economic cooperation and development between the two nations.
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