UNITED NATIONS: NIGERIA

The United Nations was formed in 1945 after World war II. In order to maintain international peace and promote cooperation in solving international economic, social and humanitarian problems. It also replaced the flawed League of Nations.

Nigeria formally joined the UN in October 7th 1960 as the 99th Member State.
In his inaugural speech delivered at the plenary session at the general assembly in New York on 8th October, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa said " Nigeria will participate actively in the work of the United Nations and uphold the principles upon which the United Nations was founded" .

 

 

Soon after, Nigeria was inducted into global politics where the country was asked to contribute and deploy a contingent of its national troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo for peace keeping under the auspices of the United Nations.
This request provided the first indication that Nigeria was already fully accepted as a credible member of this world community, and was expected to assume a decisive role in African affairs.
Despite other African nations withdrawing their troops due to the murder of the Congolese Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, Nigeria stayed till the end of operations in 1964.

Nigeria chaired the UN Anti Apartheid Committee from 1970 till it was dissolved in 1994 and in 1977 Nigeria hosted the first United Nations conference for " Action Against Apartheid" in Lagos.

In the 44th session, Joseph Garba also served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly 1989

Here are some of the images of those who have represented us at the UN.

Mr. Gervais Bahizi (left) of Congo and Mr. Jaja Wachuku of Nigeria.
20 September 1961

 

 

Chief S.O. Adebo, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, making a statement.
23 May 1966

 

 

Leslie Oriseweyinmi Harriman Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations 1975

 

 

 

Ibrahim Gambari Permanent Representative of Nigeria 1995

 

 

Nigeria's Federal Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Zanna Bukar Dipcharima.
16 June 1964
Geneva, Switzerland

Alhaji Yusuf Maitama-Sule, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations..
10 July 1981

Major-General Ike Nwachukwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria (right), confers with his delegation during a Conference.
09 June 1992
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN. Mr B. Akporode Clark .
26 June 1979

 

Ambassador Joseph N. Garba of Nigeria

B. A. Shitta-Bey  1973

 

 

 

Sir Adesoji Aderemi, Oni of Ife (2nd left) meets with Secretary-General U Thant at the UN Headquarters, left is P.A. Afolabi, Consul-General of Nigeria. Right is Edwin Ogebe Ogbu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN; and Prince Aderemi (far right), Son of Sir Adesoji.
31 July 1968

Olusegun Obasanjo attending a luncheon given in his honour by Mr. Waldheim at the UN. Seated on his left is General Assembly President Lazar Mojsov.
New York. 1977

United Nations: Chief S.O. Adebo (Nigeria) making a statement to the Peacekeeping Committee. Emeka Anyaoku is seen sitting behind him. 1965

Rev. Jesse Jackson talking with Nigerian Ambassador Joseph N Garba at the UN headquarters.1987

 

Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim is seen greeting General Gowon and his wife upon their arrival at the UN Headquarters.
05 October 1973