”Excellency President Robert Mugabe, Chairman of the Union,
Excellency President Jacob Zuma, our Host,
Excellencies fellow Presidents and Heads of Government
Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the
United Nations,
Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU
Commission,
Excellencies, Heads of Delegation,
Invited Guests, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
1. Please permit me to join previous speakers in conveying
my delegation’s appreciation to our host, H.E. President Jacob Zuma, to his
Government, and the brotherly people of South Africa for their warm
hospitality, and for the excellent arrangements made for our comfort and for
the success of our meetings. As this is my first address at this august
assembly, may I also congratulate H.E. Dr. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, President of
the Republic of Zimbabwe, for his unanimous election as the Chairman of our Union.
2. I feel highly honoured and extremely pleased to be able
to address you today, barely two weeks after my inauguration as the President
of Nigeria, following the 2015 Presidential election in my country. That
process, which was adjudged as the fairest and most credible in the history of
elections in Nigeria, was midwifed by the dogged and sustained determination of
the Nigerian people, and their desire to deepen our democracy. Their quest was
amply supported, and even encouraged by the goodwill of our friends and
partners in the international community. I therefore wish to seize this
opportunity to convey my very deep appreciation to all those who contributed to
the success of that election.
3. My election has been described as historic. I agree that
it is indeed historic because for the first time in the practice of democracy
in my country, an opposition Party has defeated the ruling Party in a keenly
contested election. The election was also held against the backdrop of the
fears and concerns expressed both in Nigeria and among our international
friends abroad and partners that the outcome of the election could spell doom
for Nigeria. I am glad that even though those fears and concerns were not
without basis, the outcome was totally different, to the relief of all of us.
4. I cannot fail to acknowledge the very positive role
played by my predecessor, H.E. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in averting
the feared crisis, and in facilitating the peaceful transition of power between
the two parties. I also wish to express my deep appreciation to all who
honoured us with their presence at my inauguration, and even those, who for
unavoidable reasons were unable to attend. I thank you all.
Mr. Chairman,
5. It is gratifying to note that our Union has made laudable
progress over the past one and a half decades since its transformation from the
Organization of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU). Notably, we have
been able to redirect our priorities at the continental level from mainly
political goals to more diverse aspirations that are equally fundamental to our
survival and development in a global community.
6. It is however clear, Mr. Chairman, that some of the
greater challenges to our peoples within this Union still lie in the political,
economic, as well as peace and security spheres. Our continent is currently
bedevilled by the twin evils of terrorism and insecurity; poverty, youth
unemployment, and underdevelopment. The destructive effects of the inhuman and
criminal campaigns of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring
countries; the Al-Shabab attacks in East Africa, and the activities of the
Al-Qaida in the Maghreb, all bear testimony to a continent under siege.
Mr Chairman,
Excellencies and Colleagues
7. On our part, I was convinced on my assumption of office
that the best approach would be to work within the framework of the Lake Chad
Basin Commission (LCBC) to mobilse collective support to fight against Boko
Haram. I have in this regard, directed the relocation of Nigeria’s Command
Centre to place it closer to the theatre of action. Furthermore, I have
vigorously engaged the members states of the LCBC to better coordinate the
strategies and tactics in fighting the insurgency in the region. I believe that
this approach can be enhanced through complimentary regional and continental
efforts.
8. The images in the international mass media of African
youths getting drowned in the Mediterranean sea on their illegal attempts, and
often times illusory hope of attaining better life in Europe is not only an
embarrassment to us as leaders, but dehumanises our persons. Indeed, they
combine to paint a very unfavourable picture of our peoples and countries.
9. Those of us gathered here today owe it as a duty to
reverse this ugly trend. We must put an end to the so-called push factors that
compel our young men and women to throw caution to the winds and risk life,
limbs and all, on this dangerous adventure. We must redouble our efforts to
sustain the economic development of our countries, ensure empowerment of our
youths, create more jobs, improve and upgrade our infrastructure, and above all
continue the enthronement of a regime of democracy, good governance and respect
for human rights and rule of law. These and other measures that engender peace
and stability must be pursued relentlessly.
10. In this connection, we must persist in our collective
endeavour to work together through the African Union and our respective
Regional Economic Communities (RECs), to uplift our continent and provide the
African peoples the enabling environment for the realization of their
legitimate dreams and aspirations. At this juncture, let me assure you of the
unflinching commitment of Nigeria to the ideals and aspirations of the African
Union as explained in the Agenda 2063, which is geared towards ensuring a
peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa in the next 50 years. It is for this
reason that Nigeria is fully and irrevocably committed to the ECOWAS vision.
11. We do so because we believe that African integration is
best attained through the instrumentality of our Regional Economic Communities
(RECs) as the building blocs of viable continental institutions. Nigeria will
therefore continue to play her part in supporting the African Union Commission
and other continental and regional institutions in their efforts to prioritize
African development in all sectors of human endeavour.
12. The journey might look arduous, but certainly not
impossible. There are opportunities in every challenge. If and when we adopt
this call for a change of attitude, approach, and disposition towards agreed
protocols and commitments, we shall be bequeathing a politically stable,
economically developed, and socially harmonious Africa, thereby justifying the
confidence reposed in us by our electorates. We will also demonstrate our
qualities as statesmen and true daughters and sons of Africa.
13. I thank you for your kind attention.”
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