Michael Onwuka, New York
President Muhammadu Buhari has in the last seven years positioned Nigeria as a bastion of democracy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has said.
Onyeama disclosed this on Sunday in New York, following the conclusion of the High Level Segment of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The minister said that Buhari had within the period showcased Nigeria as champion of good governance and an important partner in the sub-region and beyond.
He said that Nigeria’s participation in the assembly within the period afforded it the opportunity to present positive image of the country.
“Within that period of time we have been praised for the role we played in ensuring that democracy survived in the Gambia as well as in pushing for peace in the West African sub-region.
“We have been successful in areas such as getting through resolutions of the UN on the illicit financial flows which we could not achieve for many years,” he said.
According to the minister, compared to what the situation was in the past, Nigeria has been able to show a lot more pro-action in respect of its foreign policy engagements.
Onyeama said that Nigeria played important roles in big UN processes such as immigration and emigration.
“We have been seen as a champion for the nuclear disarmament and a nuclear free world because we were very active in those areas.
“During this period, we have been at the forefront of actions to push for global justice and peace, advocating on justice for the oppressed in the world.
“We have been able to gain respect for Nigeria and secure Nigeria’s place as an important partner and player at the multilateral level,” he said.
Onyeama described the high level segment of the 77th UNGA as very successful from Nigeria’s perspective.
“The centerpiece of the event for us was the national statement by the President which was very well received.
“He touched on sensitive national, regional and global issues. We had good mix of bilateral meetings with other countries as well as engagements with the private sector,” Onyeama said.
