Nigeria’s quest to secure a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council received a boost on Friday in Addis Ababa.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the African Union at their meeting on Thursday evening, endorsed the candidature of Nigeria, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, disclosed.
Ashiru spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing 21st ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Nigeria had earlier secured the support of the Economic Community of West African States for the seat.
The decision to endorse Nigeria was taken unanimously by those who attended the meeting, Ashiru said.
His words: “The endorsement was done based on our nation’s track record and achievements.
“It was done unanimously.
“The next step is for us to reach out to other regional groups like the Asia, Europe and America.
“But one thing is sure, regional endorsement that we have secured is like obtaining B+ already.
“Other regional groups will only shore up the scores.”
The endorsement, the minister said further, confirmed Nigeria’s robust foreign policy.
Also speaking in the same light, the Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Martins Uhonmoibhi, noted this was the first time since 1960 when Nigeria would be getting the seat back-to-back.
Uhonmoibhi said: “There is no taxation without representation.
“Nigeria is demanding that because it has done peacekeeping role since 1960.
“It has a right to determine how the world is governed.”
President Goodluck Jonathan arrived Addis Ababa on Friday for the special AU summit, marking the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Union, now African Union.
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