In his inaugural address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Bola Tinubu has advocated for substantial cooperation in Africa’s development rather than superficial gestures that have previously yielded limited results.
Acknowledging the governance challenges faced by Africa, President Tinubu pointed out that internal issues, coupled with broken promises, unfair treatment, and exploitation from abroad, have hindered the continent’s progress.
He stressed the significant impact of broken promises, unfair treatment, and exploitation, emphasizing that these issues have hampered Africa’s advancement.
President Tinubu called for a unique approach to addressing Africa’s challenges, drawing parallels with the post-World War II era when nations came together to rebuild societies. He emphasized the importance of international support for Africa’s development, aligning with the spirit of the Marshall Plan.
In his words, “Today and for several decades, Africa has been asking for the same level of political commitment and devotion of resources that described the Marshall Plan. We realize that underlying conditions and causes of the economic challenges facing today’s Africa are significantly different from those of post-war Europe. We are not asking for identical programs and actions. What we seek is an equally firm commitment to partnership. We seek enhanced international cooperation with African nations to achieve the 2030 agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.”
President Tinubu underscored the global significance of African development, highlighting the need to create jobs, stimulate industrial expansion, and ensure equitable wealth distribution. He expressed concern about political arrangements that perpetuate injustice and called for democratic governance as vital for the well-being of the people.
The President also touched on the challenges posed by violent extremists in the region, stressing the need for international cooperation to address this threat.
Furthermore, he called for the protection of mineral-rich areas in Africa from pilfering and conflict, citing examples from various countries. President Tinubu urged foreign entities and nations to deter their firms and nationals from exploiting Africa’s resources.
Addressing climate change, President Tinubu highlighted its severe impact on Nigeria and Africa, emphasizing the importance of aligning climate change efforts with economic development initiatives.
He concluded his address by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to peace, security, human rights, and development, while urging the world to stand with Africa as true friends and partners in achieving prosperity and progress on the continent.
President Tinubu’s UNGA debut marked a significant moment in Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement on the global stage, where he articulated Nigeria’s stance on pressing global and African issues.
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