AU okays Nigeria’s bid for UN non-permanent seat

The African Union (AU) has endorsed Nigeria’s bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru said this yesterday at the sidelines of the ongoing 21st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He said the decision to endorse Nigeria’s quest for the seat was unanimously taken on Thursday during a meeting of ministers of the African Union’s 50-member states.
“The endorsement was done based on our nation’s track record and achievements. It was done unanimously. The next step is for us to reach out to other regional groups like the Asia, Europe and America., Ashiru said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Martins Uhonmoibhi, said this was the first time Nigeria would be getting the seat “back-to-back” since independence.
According to him, given  Nigeria’s role in peace keeping operations across the globe, the country deserved the seat.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday arrived Addis Ababa to join his counterparts from other African countries for the summit which coincided with the 50th  anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation of African Union (OAU) that later metamorphosed into African Union.
Jonathan is expected to hold bilateral talks with leaders Egypt, Benin Republic and Serbia as well as with the United Nations (UN), Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, among others.