Jonathan, Ban In Closed Door Meeting

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday met with the UN
Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon

as the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
began in New York

Reports indicate that shortly after receiving the president,
both parties went into

a closed door meeting.

Our correspondent learnt they discussed recent developments
in Nigeria, how best to enhance the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea
as well as the implementation international court of Justice judgement on
Bakassi .

According to a source, they also agreed on the pressing need
for stabilisation of the political situation in Mali and for a

concerted international approach to problems in
Guinea-Bissau, Darfur, and Sudan-South Sudan.

Our correspondent also learnt that they discussed terrorism
in the Sahel and the importance of socio-economic factors in reducing it by
ensuring increased investment in agriculture, education and employment.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the
strengthening of rule of law at the national and international levels was a
shared responsibility of the international community.

He urged member states to commit to the faithful
implementation of the pledges deposited with the UN at the meeting.

Jonathan assured the world body of Nigeria’s unwavering
commitment to uphold the rule of law and duly implement pledges made to the
international community.

According to him, the need for member states to show
commitment and political will to make the rule of law a national and
international priority is critical to the realisation of the noble objective.

He noted that Nigeria’s return to constitutionalism and
democratic governance in 1999 had provided the enabling environment for
enhanced observance of democratic tenets and protection of individual rights
and fundamental freedoms.

The president explained that equality before the law and
access to justice were the cherished values enshrined in Nigeria’s
constitution.