The president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, urged world leaders on Tuesday to support democratic governance as the best safeguard for the people’s sovereignty and well-being, arguing that military coups are wrong.
This was mentioned by Tinubu during his opening remarks to the 78th General Assembly at the UN’s New York headquarters.
According to the UN correspondent for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tinubu represented both Nigeria and Africa when he addressed the world leaders at 8 p.m. local time.
“Military coups and any skewed civilian political arrangement that upholds injustice are both bad. The wave that is sweeping over portions of Africa does not show favour for coups.
“There is a need for solutions to enduring issues. We are negotiating with the military authorities over Niger.
“As Chairman of ECOWAS, I wish to assist in the restoration of democratic governance while addressing the political and economic difficulties that nation is currently facing, especially the violent extremists who want to sow unrest in our area.
To everyone who sincerely supports this objective, I extend a hand of friendship,” he said.
However, Tinubu informed the world leaders that Nigeria complies with the goals and tenets of the international organisation, namely, peace, security, human rights, and development.
“Nature has been generous to Africa in essential ways, providing a wealth of resources, fertile terrain, and inventive and talented people.
“However, because man has a tragic predisposition to treat his fellow human being unfairly, Africa has been forced to endure constant adversity.
“The poverty of nations must cease in accordance with the principles of this global organisation and the theme of this year’s Assembly.
“The exploitation of one nation’s resources by businesses and individuals from more powerful countries needs to stop. It is important to respect the will of the people. It is imperative to save our lovely, loving, and forgiving planet,” he remarked.
He claimed that as for Africa, we don’t want to be either an appendage or a patron, and we don’t want to put new chains on an old slave.
The Nigerian president stated, “Instead, we aim to stroll the rich African soil and live beneath the majestic African sky free of the wrongs of the past and freed of their related burdens. For our people, we want a prosperous, thriving, and democratic society.
“Walk with us as sincere friends and partners, I say to the rest of the world. Africa is neither an issue to be avoided nor a cause for sympathy. Nothing less than the key to the future of the globe lies in Africa.
Tinubu was reportedly accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Amb. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, and the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)’s UN reporter.
Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; and Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anita, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, are other Nigerian representatives in the delegation.
Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation, Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals, Hannatu Musawa, the minister of arts and culture, and Betta Edu, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, are also members of the delegation.
Other governors include Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, and AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara. (NAN)
