President Bola Tinubu has encouraged UN members to commit themselves more firmly to the fight against the financing of terrorism, economic sabotage, and illegal mineral and gun trafficking in developing nations.
This information may be found in a statement released in Abuja by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the president’s special adviser on media and publicity.
Speaking to the 78th UN General Assembly on Tuesday in New York, Tinubu also urged member nations to forbid businesses and citizens from their nations from taking part in the resource plundering that has caused various turmoil on the African continent.
“Protecting the continent’s mineral-rich regions from theft and violence is the fourth critical component of global trust and solidarity. Many of these places have turned into exploitation and misery caverns.
”Despite a significant UN presence there, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has experienced this for years. The DRC owes the global economy a lot, yet she receives relatively little in return.
“Thousands of our people have been forced into servitude by foreign organisations that are assisted by local criminals with aspirations to become petty warlords in order to unlawfully extract gold and other minerals.
”Countless violent activities are being financed by billions of dollars intended for national improvement. They pose a serious threat to national security and the peace if left uncontrolled.
Many Africans are asking if this phenomena is by accident or by design because of the severity of this injustice and the significant stakes involved, he said.
Member nations, according to Tinubu, must respond by cooperating with us to stop their businesses and citizens from participating in this 21st century plunder of the continent’s assets.
“The poverty of nations must cease in accordance with the principles of this international organisation and the theme of this year’s Assembly. The overreach of businesses and individuals from stronger nations in plundering the riches of one nation must now come to an end, the President declared.
The president stated that Nigeria has been successfully presented as business-ready thanks to his robust diplomatic push for fresh investment. He also added that the ease of doing business was not the main obstacle to large-scale investment.
“Whether Nigeria is open for business is not the question. How much of the world is actually willing to conduct business with Nigeria and Africa in a way that is fair and profitable to both parties?
The President stated that “meaningful debt relief, opening their ports to a wider variety and greater quantity of quality African exports, and direct investment in critical industries are important aspects of the cooperation we desire.”
According to Tinubu, there cannot be a “one size fits all” strategy in the battle against climate change. Instead, countries must collaborate in developing and implementing their own plans that are specific to their particular socioeconomic advantages and disadvantages.
African countries will combat climate change, but we must do so according to our own standards. This campaign must be in line with our broader economic initiatives in order to win the necessary popular consensus.
“In Nigeria, we will foster political agreement by emphasising corrective measures that also advance the greater economic good.
“Projects like ‘The Great Green Wall’ to prevent desert expansion, mass production and distribution of gas-burning stoves to stop the extinction of our woods, and local water management and irrigation initiatives to create jobs.
“These are examples of initiatives that simultaneously advance economic and climate change goals in an equal manner.”
Only if developed economies were more willing to provide public and private sector funding for Africa’s preferred projects and initiatives would continental efforts to combat climate change record significant triumphs, he added.
The President also advised people to stop viewing Africa as a continent to be pitied and start seeing it as a country with equal opportunity and potential.
“Follow us as sincere partners and friends. Africa is neither an issue to be avoided nor a cause for sympathy. Africa is unquestionably the key to the future of the planet.(NAN)
