Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to the United Nations (UN), pledging continued support for the global body in advancing peace, security, humanitarian action and sustainable development.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the pledge when the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Tuesday.
In a statement signed by Richard Eleso, his Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communication, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
The Minister welcomed what he described as a shift in strategic thinking within the United Nations system and commended the organisation for its longstanding support to Nigeria through its agencies, funds and programmes.
He described the UN as a key partner in humanitarian assistance, development cooperation and peacebuilding, noting that its interventions had continued to support vulnerable communities in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria valued its relationship with the United Nations and would continue to play an active role in promoting international peace and security.
He also urged the UN to explore innovative ways of addressing the challenge of declining resources, including deeper collaboration with the private sector to develop alternative funding mechanisms for humanitarian and development activities.
Earlier, Fall, who is expected to conclude his assignment in Nigeria later this year, described Nigeria as his second home, having spent nearly a decade working in the country.
He said his service in Nigeria began with UNICEF before his appointment as the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.
The UN official commended Nigeria for its contributions to the global organisation and its longstanding role in promoting peace and security.
Fall particularly recalled Nigeria’s historic role in regional peacekeeping through the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), describing it as a reflection of the country’s leadership in advancing peace and stability in West Africa and beyond.