News
Nigeria Wins UN Security Council Election
Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii (right), with Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke.
Nigeria was yesterday elected into the UN Security Council for 2014 to 2015 term with 186 votes out of 193 votes.
The UN Correspondent who monitored the elections reports that Nigeria’s election was for the non-permanent seat of the council which comprises 15 members.
Nigeria and Chad clinched the two seats for the African group currently held by Morocco and Togo.
NAN reports that Nigeria, Chad, Saudi Arabia, Chile and Lithuanian, were elected on the first round of the election as they secured two-third of the votes.
In her reaction, the Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu, expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the election.
Ogwu assured that Nigeria would promote preventive diplomacy for peace as a fulcrum of its agenda at the council.
UN Security Council has five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
The 10 non-permanent members were elected for two-year terms by the 193 members of the UN General Assembly.
They are: Argentina (2014), Australia (2014), Azerbaijan (2013), Guatemala (2013), Luxembourg (2014), Morocco (2013), Pakistan (2013), Republic of Korea (2014), Rwanda (2014) and Togo (2013).
Nigeria polled the required votes of 2/3 of 186 votes out of the 191votes casted by both permanent and non-permanent members of the council that took part during the election.
The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, attended the election.
Meanwhile, Diplomats and members of the academia have hailed Nigeria’s election to the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the 2014-2015 term.
Our correspondent reports that Nigeria, Chad, Chile, Lithuania and Saudi Arabia were on Thursday elected to serve in the council beginning from Jan. 1.
Prof. Saleh Dauda, an international relations expert, described the election as a reflection of Nigeria’s return to the world stage as a regional power in Africa.
Dauda, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Abuja, told newsmen that he expected the country to seize the opportunity of the election to contribute more to international peace and security.
“Nigeria’s election is a testimony that we are regaining our rightful place in international relations and this is attributable to improved image of Nigeria due to improvements in internal domestic issues.
“There is respect for human rights now in the country, stable polity and there is a growing influence of Nigeria in the international systems.
“Although the election will not solve our internal problems, it can improve our internal affairs and enhance the credibility of Nigerians who travel abroad,’’ he said.
On priorities for the Nigeria delegation to the council for the next two years, the don said he would like to see African problems take the front burner.
“We should be able to articulate African problems with a view to attracting international support on issues such as desertification, HIV, malaria, stable governance and terrorism.’’
In his reaction, a former Nigeria ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Mogaji Mohammed, said the election would enhance Nigeria’s credibility.
“This election by the world body will make Nigeria play more active role in international security.”
Mohammed said he was confident the election would help attract foreign direct investment to Nigeria.
Also speaking Rep. Nnenna Ukeje, chairperson House Committee on Foreign Relations, said the election would spur Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat in the council.
Ukeje appealed to the UN body to hasten its reform process and heed member states’ calls for expansion of the council.
Nigeria has served four two-year terms in the council since it became a UN member in 1960, the most recent being 2010-2011.
In 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan proposed the creation of a conflict mediation commission within the office of the UN Secretary-General to develop strategies for the resolution of disputes across the world.
In his speech at the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, Jonathan said the commission should be tasked with collating information on conflicts, identifying the parties and developing rules of engagement.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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