Nigeria has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the United Nations and the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, gave the assurance when the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Malick Fall, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
According to a statement by the Special Assistant, Media and Strategic Communication, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Richard Eleso, Enikanolaiye welcomed what he described as a shift in strategic thinking within the UN system and commended the organisation for its sustained support to Nigeria through its agencies, funds and programmes.
The Minister described the UN as a strategic partner in humanitarian action, development cooperation and peacebuilding, noting its impactful interventions, particularly in difficult and vulnerable communities across Nigeria and around the world.
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“For us as a country, we value our relationship with the United Nations. We participate actively in the maintenance of international peace and security and in advancing the other purposes for which the UN was established,” the Minister stated.
He added that Nigeria was always pleased to engage with the UN because its work supports Nigerians and contributes to the country’s success.
“I wish to pledge our total support for the United Nations,” Enikanolaiye said.
The Minister also called for innovative approaches to address dwindling resources for development and humanitarian interventions, including stronger partnerships with the private sector to mobilise alternative funding mechanisms for sustainable development and humanitarian response.
Earlier, Fall, who is due to conclude his assignment in Nigeria later this year, described Nigeria as his second home, having served in the country for nearly a decade, first with UNICEF and subsequently as UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.
He commended Nigeria’s enduring contributions to the United Nations, describing the country as not only a committed member state but also a rallying force for the organisation’s ideals.
Fall recalled Nigeria’s historic role in regional peacekeeping, particularly through ECOMOG, as a testament to the country’s leadership in promoting peace and security in West Africa and beyond.
