Dr. David Oyedepo, Chancellor of Covenant University, one of the leading institutions in West Africa has harped on the need for restructuring in the United Nations (UN) security council.
Oyedepo made this known during a virtual conference which was organized by Covenant University and United Nations Information Centre to celebrate the UN at 75.
Speaking at the conference themed “The Future We Want, the United Nations We Need: Reaffirming Our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism”, Dr. Oyedepo noted the United Nations security council was due for restructuring to accommodate the reality of contemporary international relations
Oyedepo said, “UN is due for reforms. For this to happen and to achieve other goals, the UN would have to make the following internal reforms; restructure the UN Security Council in line the reality of contemporary international relations; position herself for the inevitable challenges of the 21st century international diplomacy, where digitisation is fast outpacing shuttle diplomacy and where power is becoming redefined and diffused.
“The UN must become more de-politicised in her administrative operations and deliberately create a culture of inclusiveness in policy process and implementation so that member-states can regard themselves as equal partners. The UN must become more democratised in her structure, giving more room to the rising powers and emerging economies, especially from the global South, to exercise their influence in leadership, the international community has the responsibility to strengthen existing multilateral institutions of which the UN is the best model to meet these inevitable challenges.”
“We will need a new wine in a new wineskin (as against the old wine in a new wineskin) for a UN we want for our generations after us to be birthed. There will be a need to transform the United Nations and offload the excesses that have tied her down. We want to see a UN that will stand up against superpowers when their actions endanger the very essence of human existence” said the Covenant University Chancellor
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In the same vein, Prof. Sheriff Folarin, Chairman, Organising Committee said the UN should not ignore #EndSARS movement in Nigeria.
He urged the international body should act as an element of check to the federal government who has showed a blatant disregard for human lives.
Prof Folarin said, “It represents a new nudge for another brand of self-determination – that is, the hunger and quest for a new Nigeria, where all will be equal and good governance will dislodge the maladministration that has dogged our nation for so long. The UN should act as an element of check on the state for the wanton disregard for life by the government and mount diplomatic pressure on those in power to accede to the demands of the youth, who are the true owners of Nigeria.”