Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, addressed the 79th United Nations General Assembly, where he emphasized Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to international peace and security.
He said at the Summit of the Future interactive dialogue 2: “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security” on Sunday that “Since our first deployment in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions globally,” he stated, highlighting the deployment of over 200,000 Nigerian troops in UN operations.
Badaru called for reform of the UN Security Council to ensure Africa is represented with permanent seats, arguing that this would enhance global stability.
He said, “Nigeria has remained unequivocal in its commitment to international peacebuilding and security, since the first engagement of its troops in the Congo in 1960. To date, Nigeria has contributed to 41 peacekeeping operations worldwide, with over two hundred thousand Nigerian troops serving in UN peacekeeping missions.
“Under the regional and sub-regional cooperation, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in field missions in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Sudan and Sierra Leone, among others, and has contributed a lot in terms of finance, logistics, troops and civilian experts, making her one of the most significant African troops and police contributors to the United Nations missions.
“It is on this basis that Nigeria continues to call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to give just representation to Africa on a permanent basis for inclusivity and deepening of global peace and security.
Peoplesmind