United States President, Barack Obama has promised to support Nigeria’s quest to quell years of terrorism championed by the Boko Haram Islamist sect.Obama made the pledge during a bilateral meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, which held during the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor (Mrs.) Viola Adaku Onwuliri, who detailed the president’s engagements at the Assembly, revealed that asides meeting the U.S. president, Jonathan also met the Nigerian Community in the U.S., was at a gues at the New York Stock Exchange, and also addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
“Mr. President arrived New York in the early hours of Sunday 22nd September 2013. He had a lunch reception with a cross section of Nigerian professionals and community leaders in New York later that same day. This afforded the president the opportunity, for the first time, to interact with the Nigerian community in the US and to apprise them of developments in Nigeria, Onwuliri said.
“To underscore Mr. President’s commitment to the promotion of trade and investment in the Nigerian economy, especially in Agriculture and infrastructure, Mr. President met the Eminent Persons in Agriculture where the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development disclosed that some investments are being expected from the United States including a 37 Million Dollars portfolio for sorghum production.
“Significantly, Mr. President held a bilateral meeting with President Barack Obama on Monday, 23rd September 2013. During the meeting, the US President pledged his continuous support for Nigeria’s democracy and Counter-Terrorism efforts. The President and the First Lady were later that day, treated to a dinner by President Obama.
“In addition, Mr. President was the Special Guest of Honour at the New York Stock Exchange on 23rd September 2013, where he rang the Closing Bell as the fourth African President and First Nigerian Leader ever to do so.
“As you would recall, President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday, 24th September, 2013 as the fourth speaker after the Presidents of Brazil, United States and Turkey. It is important to stress that becoming the fourth speaker was as a result of astute diplomacy and goodwill of Nigeria with the UN and the global community. Mr. President’s address covered a wide range of issues ranging from Nigeria’s domestic issues, regional and International peace, security and cooperation as well as a Renascent Africa and the post-2015 Development Agenda. Mr. President also used the opportunity to call for support for Nigeria’s bid for the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.”
Onwuliri confirmed that the president participated at the Treaty Event during which he deposited the instruments of Nigeria’s ratification of, and accession to the United Nations Conventions on the Suppression of Terrorists Bombings and Hostage Taking.
She added that he held bilateral discussions with Secretary-General of the UN, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe; while on Wednesday, 25th September 2013, he honoured an invitation from the Ghanaian President, President John Mahama to attend a breakfast meeting on the new African Urban Agenda hosted by the UN Habitat Group.
“Mr. President used the opportunity to call for collaboration with the UN Habitat in the quest of the group to implement its agenda of Shelter for All and regeneration of the urban environment within the context of post 2015 Developmental Agenda.
“Mr. President also hosted his colleagues, the Presidents of Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and South Africa as well as development partners, to a side event on the MDGs, to showcase Nigeria’s accomplishments and continuous commitment to the realization of the MDGs as well as the post 2015 framework. During the meeting, the UN Secretary-General commended Nigeria for the giant strides recorded in the implementation of the MDGs.
“Mr. President was represented at the other events namely: the fourth Investment Forum on Nigeria, organized by the African Business Round Table (ABR), the side event on the High Level Meeting on the Sahel, the Session on Nuclear Disarmament as well as the African Union Peace and Security Council where his various statements were delivered.
“During the High Level segment, the First Lady participated in a series of activities including receptions hosted by Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, the spouse of the UN Secretary-General, cultural event for Spouses of Heads of State and Government and luncheon hosted by Mrs. Obama. The First Lady also participated in the Breakfast Launch of “End Cervical Cancer Now”, a global campaign initiative for universal access to Cervical Cancer Prevention. Similarly, the First Lady attended the Sixth Annual World Focus on Autism as part of her active involvement in humanitarian activities.
“The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, represented Mr. President at the High Level Round Table Meeting on the Realization of the Millennium Development Goals and Other Internationally Agreed Development Goals for Persons with Disabilities on the 23rd of September, 2013. Other Ministers who were members of the Nigerian delegation also took part in several events. The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala participated at the side events on Domestic Resource Mobilization within the Future Global Partnership for Development on the 24th September 2013. In addition, the Senior Special Assistant to Mr. President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbenol delivered a statement on Nigeria’s impressive records in this regard.”
The honourable minister of foreign affairs represented the president at the 7th Annual Scientific Conference and Exposition and the First Economic Forum of the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA).
In his remarks, he invited the over-7,000 Members of NAPPSA to key into the Transformation Agenda and partner with his government to advance the Pharmaceutical sector and the delivery of improved health care to all Nigerians. The high point of the conference was the conferment of the “Distinguished Leadership Award” on H.E. President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR “in recognition of his commitment and efforts to transform the Nigerian Healthcare system”.
Nigeria also participated actively in the High Level segment of the General Assembly, under the leadership and guidance of Mr. President; while the minister attended several multilateral meetings, including the following: High Level Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament, the Annual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), the Peace-Building Commission (PBC)/UN Women High Level Ministerial Event on Women’s Economic Empowerment for Peace-building, and Counter Terrorism Forum hosted by the US Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry.
Continuing, Onwuliri said: “Furthermore, Nigeria co-hosted and co-chaired together with the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, the Consultative Meeting on Responsibility to Protect (R2P). The meeting was also attended by the UN Under-Secretary-General for the Prevention of Genocide and 12 other Foreign Ministers with 20 others as observers and development partners. In its intervention, Nigeria advocated preventive diplomacy as a panacea to conflict situation including observance of the rule of law, human rights and protection of vulnerable groups and persons.
“Nigeria also participated at the Inaugural Session of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the successor to the Commission for Sustainable Development. In addition, Nigeria participated in other multilateral fora, including the AU Consultative Meeting Preparatory to the Extraordinary Summit Meeting of the AU Assembly scheduled to hold in October 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement; the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 15.
“At the meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers and the meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Mali, Nigeria, represented by the Honurable Minister of State II, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, expressed the hope that the Organization will continue with its laudable support to the new Government to enable it discharge its mandate to the people of Mali. Nigeria also reiterated its position for a negotiated settlement of the Middle East crisis on the basis of a two-state solution. In addition, Nigeria called for a political dialogue towards ending the conflict in Syria.
“It is important to note that Nigeria delivered statements at these meetings in the course of which broad and specific themes of the sessions were addressed. For example, at the AU Peace and Security Meeting, Nigeria called for support for the consolidation of democracy in Mali, as well as concerted global efforts in tackling the menace of terrorism in the sub-region. At the Counter-Terrorism Forum, Nigerian delegation reiterated its call for assistance and cooperation in dealing with this menace.
“At the informal consultations at Ministerial level on preparation for the proposed AU Extra-Ordinary Summit, cooperation between the African Union and the International Criminal Court was discussed. In the context of current indictment of the Kenyan President and his deputy, Nigeria and other African countries reiterated its solidarity with the Government and people of Kenya, including its condolences on the recent terrorist incident in Nairobi. While affirming its readiness to participate in the proposed Summit, Nigeria further urged African countries to speak with one voice in defence of the dignity and solidarity of the continent.
“At the UN High Level Ministerial Meeting on Women’s Economic Empowerment for Peace-building, Nigeria reported on the giant strides recorded in this sphere by the Jonathan Administration and presented the “Abuja Commitment” of Global Power Women Network Africa, which was also presented to the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting.”
A series of bilateral meetings at the ministerial level were held with colleagues from the following the Netherlands, Ethiopia, Russian Federation, Argentina, Honduras, Morocco, Latvia, Luxemburg, Hungary, Djibouti, The Gambia, Angola, Kenya and Lebanon, and so on.
Similar meetings were held with the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Mark Simmons and the President of the International Crisis Group, Ms. Louise Arbour, who commended Nigeria’s role in conflict prevention and resolution in Africa.
“These meetings provided the opportunity to further engage witrh the global community and exchange views on bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest. During the interactions, request for support for Nigeria’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council was reiterated and the countries pledged their endorsement,” the minister enthused, emphasizing the significance of the meeting with the Foreign Minister of Honduras, during which an agreement on the establishment of Diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level was signed.
“Remarkably, Hungary disclosed its preparedness to reopen its diplomatic Mission in Abuja soon, which will facilitate people-to- people contacts and visits by Nigerians to Hungary.
“In all, Nigeria’s outing in the on-going Session of the General Assembly has commenced on a sure footing with Nigeria’s robust engagement with the world. Remarkably, Nigeria had the rare honour of speaking on the first day of the General Assembly. In recognition of Nigeria’s untiring efforts against terrorism and its commitments to international peace and security, Nigeria was invited as one of the first speakers at the High Level event on Nuclear Disarmament alongside the Presidents of Mongolia, Brazil and the Prime Ministers of Ireland and Japan.
“Nigeria made insightful statements at all the High Level Meetings and Multilateral fora, thereby participating in the agenda setting of global discourse. At the bilateral level, Nigeria held talks with an unprecedented number of countries from across the globe which provided the opportunity to strengthen and deepen vistas of cooperation and engagement, in addition to fostering Nigeria’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2014-2015 Biennium.”
