The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has dismissed the assertion that Nigeria’s presentation at the 72th United Nations General Assembly mainly addressed international issues, saying the country’s gain from the event was unquantifiable.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sept. 19, had presented the Nigeria’s national statement at the 72th United Nations General Assembly in New York where he assured the international community of Nigeria’s firm and unshaken commitment to democracy.
He also said Nigeria’s position on the current threat to global peace and security posed by North Korea’s nuclear programme also called for the sustenance of international efforts in fighting terrorism across the world.
Onyeama, who addressed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Buhari, therefore, stated that the president’s presentation at UNGA touched on global, regional and sub-regional issues affecting mankind across the world.
“”The president was speaking to the international audience on a global stage and the UN is there for global issues.
“”So, I think it’s absolutely in order because Nigeria is part of a global community addressing global issues.
“”But he addressed all those issues covering also all the things that affect Nigeria as a country.
““(When) Mr President came in, he outlined three priorities; security, governance, anti-corruption and the economy.
“”On security, he addressed the security issues, he talked about the Boko Haram and the importance of the international community being engaged in that fight and also taking measures to stop ISIS from infiltrating into the sub region,” he said.
The minister said that President Buhari also talked about the humanitarian crisis and thanked the international community of what they had done so far in helping the Nigeria and other countries affected by the crisis.
He said: “”On anti-corruption campaign, which is a priority for us, he called on the international community to insist and maintain good governance and he himself talked about good governance being a priority for this country and wanted the international community to key into it because we are looking to these countries to help us get the stolen funds back.
““On the economy, he is saying a lot of the conflicts in this world today are as a result of the nature of relationships between countries you have those that have and those who do not have and we have to start looking for a more equitable society, economic equity.
“:”Again, this is part of what the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has as an objective.’’
The minister, therefore, described President Buhari’s outing at the 72th UN General Assembly as “”extremely succsessful’’.
While in New York, the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, had told newsmen that President Buhari’s appearance in New York was “worth the while” and immensely beneficial to Nigeria particularly Jordan’s donation of 200 armoured vehicles to Nigeria under generous terms.
He said Buhari held bilateral talks with the different leaders on various areas of cooperation, and also called for the cooperation of world leaders to facilitate the recovery of stolen assets.