The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, has assured the international community that Nigeria would continue to work in the area of preventive diplomacy as it takes a seat in the United Nations Security Council in 2014.
Nigeria was elected on Thursday as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council along with four other countries.
Speaking at a media briefing in New York, United State of America, Onwuliri also said that Nigeria would focus on mediation and prevention of conflict situations in Africa.
She said: “We need to have a strong voice to help the UN to deal with issues in Africa.
“African issues are the majority of issues facing the UN Security Council today.
“We have been overwhelmingly given the mandate to serve in the UN Security Council on non-permanent category for the next two years.
“Nigeria came to this assignment with rich antecedents and history, being the fifth time we have been elected.
“We want to thank the global community for this huge mandate of 186 votes out of 191.
“It shows confidence given to us and we will not disappoint the global community.”
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu, described Nigeria’s election as an indication of the confidence member states had in the country.
Ogwu said: “The overwhelming majority votes that we received today is an indication of the trust and confidence and goodwill of all member states.
“We want to congratulate the other four members who were elected along with us and we pledge goodwill to them and we will work hand-in-hand with them in the Council.”
The Permanent Representative also noted that Nigeria was driven by a deep seated aspiration to deal with issues of peace, security and development not only in Africa but the rest of the world.
She added: “So to this effect, we will work assiduously with all members of the Security Council to represent all other member states and to fulfil the renewed mandate that we have received today.”
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