From Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the United Nations (UN) for remaining consistent and achieving, steadily, the global peace and security agendas of its founding leaders.
Buhari’s eulogy to the global body was delivered yesterday in his video message to a virtual event marking the UN’s 75th anniversary.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also appeal for preservation of the longest period in modern history without a military confrontation.
The UN, for the first time in its 75 years, had to convene world leaders in a virtual format for the high-level meetings and the annual general debate, as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari amplified Nigeria’s achievements at the UN since 1960, when the country officially joined the organisation.
He highlighted the country’s active contribution in human, financial and material resources to several United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, among other priorities.
‘’On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to express sincere felicitation to member states for the giant strides taken towards achieving the objectives of the organisation thus far.
“Today’s celebration is a remarkable milestone in the history of the United Nations. It affords us the opportunity to review our progress and challenges as well as chart the course for our future.
‘’For over seven decades, the United Nations has remained true to the aspirations of its founders. It continues to play a crucial role in fostering global peace and security. The organisation has grown in membership and scope to reflect contemporary global trends.
“Collectively, we have improved and saved lives, as well as defended the rights of the vulnerable in adherence to the principles of the United Nations.
“More so, we have worked together to shelter refugees; foster development; invest in conflict resolution and peacekeeping; and promoted women’s and children’s rights. Moreover, we have jointly intensified the fight against deadly diseases such as Malaria, Ebola, Tuberculosis, and the Coronavirus pandemic”, he said.
On decolonisation, President Buhari called on member states to abide by UN Resolution 1514 on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, warning that ‘‘the quest to realise total decolonisation remains incomplete as long as Non-Self-Governing territories continue to exist”.
The Nigerian leader noted that beyond the spheres of peace and security, the United Nations had also played active roles in the decolonization of many territories.
Guterres, in his address, urged the world’s most powerful nations to resist the temptation for unilateral actions and embrace dialogue in dispute resolution.
“The ideals of the United Nations: peace, justice, equality and dignity, are beacons to a better world.
“But the orgainsation we celebrate today emerged only after immense suffering.
“It took two world wars, millions of deaths and the horrors of the Holocaust for world leaders to commit to international cooperation and the rule of law.
“That commitment produced results. A Third World War, which so many had feared — has been avoided.
“Never in modern history have we gone so many years without a military confrontation between the major powers.
“This is a great achievement of which member states can be proud, and which we must all strive to preserve,” he said.
