President Bola Tinubu has called on the United Nations Security Council to provide stronger leadership in enforcing the UN Charter and impose sanctions against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Tinubu also urged the international community to pursue the total elimination of nuclear weapons, stressing that Nigeria’s national security does not depend on possessing nuclear arms.
The President’s position was conveyed by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, during a high-level plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York to mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
According to Channels Television, Ibrahim said the elimination of nuclear weapons remains the United Nations’ highest disarmament priority.
He said Nigeria does not support the production or proliferation of nuclear weapons, describing countries and entities that develop or support weapons of mass destruction as enemies of democracy.
Ibrahim called on countries to respect the UN Charter’s provisions on disarmament and the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states.
He said adherence to the Charter would help strengthen international peace and reduce the perceived need for countries to develop or proliferate weapons of mass destruction.
The Nigerian envoy also conveyed Tinubu’s commendation to African leaders for efforts to keep the continent free from nuclear weapons testing and the production of weapons of mass destruction.
He highlighted the devastating human cost of nuclear attacks, referencing the deaths caused by the atomic bombings during the Second World War.
Ibrahim further urged greater international commitment to peace and stability amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The UN meeting was convened to raise global awareness of the threat posed by nuclear weapons and encourage international efforts towards achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world.
