Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to global security and peace and continuing provision of the appropriate policy base and requisite investments towards achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Jonathan gave the assurance here during his second round of meeting with the visiting Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon. President Jonathan, who announced that he was to attend the High-Level meeting on AIDS in New York, US, next month, said it was aimed at giving impetus to waning commitment to international funding. He also announce Nigeria’s intention to convene the Abuja 10 Meeting on Health to ensure that the nation take stock and made further commitments that would achieve the Health MDGs.

President Jonathan noted that “our national aspiration when we joined the UN was to promote international peace and security and over the years we have left no doubt as to our unwavering commitment to the ideals of the UN. I commend the leadership of the UN for its focused commitment to ensuring the actualization of the Health-MDGs: infant, child, and maternal health as well as the concerted fight against HIV and AIDS.

“Nigeria has remained focused on reducing infant mortality (which has dropped by 25%); maternal mortality (which has dropped by 32%); and the total eradication of polio (with which we have recorded a 90% reduction since 2009). Nigeria is fully committed to the MDGs, a fact which is underscored by the fact that we have dedicated our debt relief grants to such initiatives as immunization, midwifery service scheme, and strengthening of primary health care.”

President Jonathan also reaffirmed Nigeria’s recently announced pledge of US$ 500,000 to UN Women over the next three years, saying that it was a demonstration of the nation’s commitment to women’s issues.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Joy Ogwu, was recently elected as the First President of the Executive Board of UN Women.

On the global fight against terrorism, the President said he was satisfied with Nigeria’s cooperation with the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), adding that Nigeria had already “put forward proposals for technical assistance for improved capacity and we are working with the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) on the establishment of a focal point on counter-terrorism within ECOWAS.

'We are in the final processes of passing a Bill to Provide for Measures to Combat Terrorism and a Money Laundering Bill, both of which are meant to give impetus to our committed fight against international terrorism. I would like to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment, as a member of the UN Security Council, to continue in its bridge-building efforts within the larger context of the UN’s efforts at maintaining international peace and security.

“Mr. Secretary-General, given the realities of today’s world, a comprehensive reform of the United Nations system is imperative at this time. Specifically, the expansion of the Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories is necessary. A situation where Africa is totally excluded from the permanent membership of the Council is unfair and untenable. 

'It is therefore my hope that the UN system will support Nigeria’s quest for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.”

President Jonathan also stated that there was “a critical need for the international community to remain engaged in Cote d’Ivoire, especially with respect to the urgent work of reconstruction; and the challenges of disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation. We must also acknowledge the support of the European Union.”

Nigeria, he said, was also greatly concerned about the illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, reiterating the nation’s support for the UN Programme of Action (UNPoA)on this category of weapons.

The President acknowledged with joy the election of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative as Chairperson-designate to the 2012 Review of the UN Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Ban, who also attended a special briefing on the MDGs at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, told journalists at the end of the session that he discussed with President Jonathan on “how United Nations and Nigeria can further strengthen our traditional partnerships.”

He lauded Nigeria’s role in maintaining international peace and security, stating that “since the admission of Nigeria into the United Nation half a century ago, Nigeria has been in a steady and strong partnership with the UN.

'Just a week after your independence, you had dispatched your men and women as members of peacekeepers to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Now you are the fourth largest troop and police contributing country, starting with Darfur and nine other different areas where your men and women have contributed greatly to the peace and stability of the world. I deeply appreciate. You have sent many distinguished Nigerian leaders, Prof Ibrahim Gambari who is now working as a UN/AU joint special representative in Darfur, and professor Babatunde Osetimehin as the new Executive Director of the UNFPA, you have  General Obi as the Force Commander of the UN Mission in Sudan. And just a few days ago, I appointed Ms. Margaret Vogts as my Special Representative in Central Africa.”

The UN Scribe stated that generally, he was focusing on “discussing with the leadership of Nigeria on how we can see that this maternal mortality rate and child mortality rate could be reduced. We have to prevent all these women and children from dying from preventable diseases.”

Lauding Nigeria’s leadership role in other areas of the MDGs, Ban noted that “with such leadership role by the President and relevant Ministers, communities and local leaders, Nigeria will be good examples to many countries in the African continent.

'And I highly commend such leadership and vision to have this healthcare bill passed by the National Assembly and this is again very important initiative by the government. Nigeria has been doing well, your initiative and examples should be emulated and expanded throughout African continent and that is why I am here. That is what I am raising my voice to the world, first of all leadership is very important as you have seen the in the national healthcare bill passed by the national assembly.

'I am very happy to be in Nigeria, even though I have not yet finished my programmes here but I am very much satisfied and I sincerely hope that Nigeria will continue to play such leadership roles as have been displayed in Cote d’Ivoire as President of ECOWAS. Still I count on the continued leadership role in the region and in the world.”

Pana 24/05/2011