Britain to back Nigeria's bid for UN permanent seat

THE British Government on Wednesday threw its weight behind Nigeria's bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations.

Britain is backing Nigeria ahead of South Africa, Ghana and other countries that have been in the running for the exalted position.

British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Andrei Pock, who said this in Minna when he visited the Niger state Governor Babangida Aliyu, said the decision of the British government to support the country for the permanent UN seat was because the country had been a stabilising force in the West African sub region.

Pock also said the British Government was throwing its weight behind Nigeria because the country had been contributing to peace keeping operations not only in Africa but in the world.

"Nigeria is important to England, Britain sees Nigeria as a regional and international force. Britain will work with Nigeria on major foreign policy issues."

The envoy however challenged Nigeria to take security issues especially in the northern part of the country serious adding that "we will partner with the government to restore peace and stability in the country".

According to Pock, Britain will also improve its business relationship with Nigeria adding that his country was looking for those he described as 'aggressive states' to do business with and singled out Niger state as one of such states.

He explained that Britain has upgraded Niger state from one programme to six adding that the British government had now included the education of the girl child, teacher training eradication of Guinea worm and malaria as well as good governance as some of the programmes to be financed by Britain in Niger state.

During an interactive session with members of the Niger state executive council, Pock disclosed that not less than 200,000 visa applications by Nigerians were received annually out of which 160,000 usually scale through.

He also said there were more than 1million Nigerians resident and doing legal businesses in Britain which the country could exploit to improve its economy.

In his remarks, Aliyu called for more strengthening of relationships between Britain and Nigeria even as he asked Nigerians to 'behave nicely' in order not to attract unfavorable actions for the country.

Aliyu also called for support of the British Government for the state in the areas of Education especially in the proposed University of Education in Minna and Agriculture.


Punch