President Bola Tinubu addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday touching on issues such as broken promises, unfair treatment and foreign exploitation. He expressed the need for Africa to scale the limitations of foreign exploitation to reach its full potential of prosperity, and the importance of the international community seeing African development as a priority for investments, as well as the need to tackle the effects of climate change.
The president rightly noted that, “Failures in good governance have hindered Africa. But broken promises, unfair treatment and outright exploitation from abroad have also exacted a heavy toll on our ability to progress.” Though often stated at many international forums and meetings, President Tinubu’s words here succinctly denotes the African leadership predicamen. He further recommend Africa and the UN to affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people, adding that military coups are wrong and should be roundly denounced. President Tinubu’s views about military regimes in Africa are emphatic and well known, even as he posits, “The wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups…: Even though I may agree with the president on the illegality of military coups in Africa, there are circumstances that attract the military to intervene in the continent’s politics – when the civilian leaders trample on the constitution, disregard the rule of law and perpetuate injustice.
On Niger, the president said ECOWAS is negotiating with the military leaders in Niamey and seeking to re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting Niger.
Besides the military coup matter, President Tinubu touched upon various topics, including climate change, terrorism, poverty eradication, and foreign partnerships for development.
He emphasized the urgent need for global action to combat change, insisting that developing countries like Nigeria are disproportionately affected by its consequences. He called for developed nations to fulfill their commitments under the Paris Agreement, including providing financial and technological support to developing countries. This reflects Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change and its determination to address the issue through international cooperation.
President Tinubu noted that climate change severely impacts Nigeria and Africa, adding that Northern Nigeria is hounded by desert encroachment on once arable land.
“Our south is pounded by the rising tide of coastal flooding and erosion. In the middle, the rainy season brings floods that kill and displace multitudes” he stressed.
The president also underscored the importance of poverty eradication in Nigeria and other developing countries. He acknowledged the progress made in reducing poverty globally but stressed that much work remains to be done. Tinubu emphasized the need for inclusive economic growth.
His words, “If Nigeria is to fulfil its duty to its people and the rest of Africa, we must create jobs and the belief in a better future for our people. We must also lead by example.” The president emphasized the need for direct investment in key economic sectors in Africa
to “build the economy our people deserve.”
He further stated, “We welcome partnerships with those who do not mind seeing Nigeria and Africa assume larger roles in the global community. The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner…”
President Tinubu also demanded for global trust and solidarity to secure the continent’s mineral-rich areas from pilfering and conflict.
He said many of these areas have become catacombs of misery and exploitation.
“:The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered this for decades, despite the strong UN presence there. The world economy owes the DRC much but gives her very little. The mayhem visited on resource-rich areas does not respect national boundaries. Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, CAR, the list grows…,” the president after strongly lamenting the wanton theft of resources in the continent, declared that the problems have also knocked on Nigeria’s door.
He said: “Foreign entities abetted by local criminals who aspire to be petty warlords have drafted thousands of people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel violent enterprises. If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk ”
Furthermore, Tinubu also stressed the need for African countries to work together to address conflicts, promote democratic governance, and enhance intra-African trade. This reflects Nigeria’s leadership role in the African continent and its commitment to regional stability and development.
However, it is also important to consider the actions and policies of the Nigerian government beyond speeches and international forums. While President Tinubu has acquainted himself very well on his first UNGA outing, Nigeria’s commitment to important global issues and the effectiveness of these commitments will ultimately depend on their implementation at the national level. It is essential for Nigeria to translate its words into concrete actions to address the pressing challenges it faces.
Finally, President Bola Tinubu’s address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly highlighted the key priorities and challenges facing Nigeria. His speech emphasized the importance of global cooperation in addressing the world’s myriads of problems . While the address showcased Nigeria’s commitment to the issues, it is crucial for the government to follow through with effective policies and actions to make a tangible impact.
