“Nigeria deserves a Security Council seat”

As hopes of an expanded Security Council continues to shadow the UN, frontrunners for the anticipated seats might have already emerged. Musa Temidayo, 23, a Correspondent from Nigeria, makes the patriot’s case for his beloved nation.

Nigeria is the black world’s largest democracy. She has pursued one of the most altruistic, benevolent and purposeful foreign policies in the modern world.

Sometimes, she has taken care of foreigners and her international responsibilities even more than her own people. This is something peculiar about Nigeria, something that dares her to assume the status of the biblical city stationed upon the hill, beaming her light for the benefit of the global community.

Nigeria has always given her widow’s mite. While many economically and technologically advanced nations of the North give out of their abundance, Nigeria has always given others despite increasingly depressing domestic social indicators such as poor health indices and low human development index. Even as her neighbor, Ghana rose to be a competitor in African leadership, Nigeria did not withhold a million-dollar power projects loan to her at a time when Nigeria’s power sector was also in dire need of more funds. Such benevolence is absurd.

Nigeria’s commitment to the political equality of states is also legendary. Nigeria has foreign relations with almost all the countries of the world. Her contribution to peace-keeping, international relief assistance and humanitarian operations has etched her place as a responsible member of the comity of nations. Despite her rising domestic challenges, Nigeria still pays dues and offers contributions to the international bodies and organizations to which she belongs.

Unlike most big and powerful countries, Nigeria does not exploit other countries in order to develop. Nigeria has practically shown that development need not be a zero sum game; that all can be winners in the development race. If Nigeria was interested in sheer exploitation, she would never have gotten involved in the liberation wars of Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Nigeria contributed immensely to the war against colonial activities in Africa. She also received a lot of refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone at the height of the crises in both states. These refugees were quartered at the Oru Refugee Camp in Ogun state. 

Nigeria in all odds has been a law-abiding citizen in the international arena. During her dispute with Cameroon over the Bakassi Pennisula, she swallowed the bitter pill being dished out by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ ruled in favour of the latter and Nigeria abided by a quiet and peaceful transfer of the contested area. She did not resort to the gung ho tactics of a super power.

Nigeria uses her resources and power potentials in another way. She sends professionals to work in the Chadian society under her Nigeria Technical Aid Corps programme, a contribution that is immeasurable to Chadian development. Nigeria also sent about 92 women to Liberia to save the dying educational system of that country. Nigeria is among the top five contributors to peacekeeping missions around the world. Nigerian peacekeepers are often placed in harm’s way as a result of the dicey situations and tensions in their duty stations.

Given Nigeria’s trail blazing and selfless contributions to global security and to Africa’s development, Nigeria should become a member of the Security Council of the United Nations so that she can represent the African Continent and continue her good works.

photo credit: caseyhelbling via photopin cc

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About me:

I am from Nigeria, currently studying International Relations at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Osun state. I’m also the Deputy Editor-in- Chief for the department. I love travelling and singing. I have interest in Management and Developmental Issues.

 Aside from studying, I also work with I-Koncept-as a Director of Logistics, and also the Chairman of my department’s magazine. I want to be a Manager-Human Resource & Conflict Management, and also hope to serve in Nigerian Foreign Service.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/
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