UN Presidency, good omen for Nigeria – Rep Ukeje

April 3, 2014. Rep. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, (PDP-Abia) has described the assumption of Nigeria’s presidency at United Nations Security Council for the month of April as a good omen for the country

The lawmaker expressed her pleasure in the development as it would shore up the Country’s image.

Ukeje, who is the chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, said that the news gladdens her heart as it was a big one for Nigeria since 1960 that it has been in the UN.

“This no doubt is a recognition of our many roles in peace-keeping globally. Nigeria as a country has contributed more than 150,000 men to various UN peace keeping all over the world’’, she said.

While commending Prof. Joy Ogwu, Nigeria permanent Representative at the UN for her efforts, she urged her to create an avenue for the discussion on issues that affects Nigeria to come up.

The lawmaker cited the issues of women violence, maintenance of international peace, boarder management and genocide which were slated for discussion at the UN as equally affecting Nigeria.

“I must tell you that this singular assumption has position Nigeria closely for a permanent seat at the UN’’, She said.

Ukeje said it has also shown to the world that Nigeria has come of age in the area of peacekeeping and maintenance of international peace.

While wishing Prof. Joy Ogwu well in the task ahead, she assured her of necessary legislative intervention to make Nigeria’s tenure a remarkable one.

It will be recalled that Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Joy Ogwu, on Tuesday assumed the one-month rotational presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of April.

She took over from Ambassador Sylvie Lucas, the Permanent Representative of Luxembourg, who held the presidency for the month of March.

Nigeria was elected a non-permanent member of the Security Council on Oct. 17, 2013 and will serve on the council for 2014-2015 periods.

This is the fifth time since independence that Nigeria would be elected to serve on the most powerful decision-making organ of the United Nations charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.

Nigeria previously served on the council from 1966-1967, 1978-1979, 1994-1995 and 2011-2012.

Nigeria’s return to the council in January after having left only in December 2012, representing one of the shortest periods in the annals of the UN that a member state has spent between two terms on the council.

Nigeria currently holds the chair of two Security Council Committees: the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2048 (2012) concerning Guinea-Bissau, and the Ad hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.

In addition, Nigeria is one of the three vice-chairs of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), concerning the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Nigeria also has one of the two vice-chairs of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning Sudan.

With the support of all other members of the council, Nigeria will use its month-long presidency to actively promote the cause of international peace and security, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and the mandate of the council.