President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao and Umara Yar'Adua of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The two nations have increased their economic cooperation.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
'Nigeria deserves permanent UN Security Council post'
By Damilola Osunsanya
Nigerian Guardian
FOUNDER and Chairman, Nigeria-China Friendship Association, Ambassador Victor Chibundu, has made a strong case for the admission of Nigeria into the United Nations (UN) Security Council as a permanent member of the body.
Chibundu, who spoke recently at a "Workshop on Restoring Standard of the Foreign Ministry" in Abuja, premised his call on Nigeria's track record as a UN member since it joined the global body on October 7, 1960.
The former envoy observed that with the recent moves by the UN to restructure its organs, several African countries have shown interest in representing the continent on the UN Security Council as permanent member.
However, he argued that none of the jostling countries had advanced the UN cause more than Nigeria, which he said, deserved the permanent seat.
Chibundu listed Nigeria's contributions to Africa's growth and UN initiatives to include "the fight against colonial domination and apartheid regime in South Africa" and the country's support for "the admission of the People's Republic of China, instead of Taiwan, in the United Nations Organisation in 1960 contrary to the expectations or desire of certain big powers".
He added: "Nigeria has continued to provide technical assistance to several African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP) through its Technical Aid Corps (TAC) programme. No African country has instituted such a laudable programme to date".
The former envoy charged the Federal Government not to relent in its effort to secure a permanent seat for the country at the UN Security Council.
He said: But may I ask, where were the African countries, which now aspire to be elected as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in 1960 when Nigeria raised the issue of representation of Africa in the Security Council? Fifty years have elapsed but the issue is still dangling in the air.
"I am of the view that Nigeria should not give up the struggle by default or wait for stragglers to join the race. Suffice it to say that the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be well advised to now strongly focus, as founding fathers, on securing a permanent seat in the Security Council of the United Nations".
Nigeria is really deserve for this. This is land improving rapidly and not only population wise but the foreign businessmen are also taking interest in the business oppertunities in Nigeria. And increasing number of flight to Nigeria is a proof of these.
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