President Buhari Calls for Sustained Investments and Cooperation to End Human Rights Abuses, Poverty, and Inequalities

Strategic Insights -

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has emphasized the need for sustained investments and increased international cooperation to address human rights abuses, poverty, and inequalities in various countries. Speaking at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Buhari stressed that there can be no quick fix to these problems and that they require long-term investments and more effective international cooperation. He also highlighted the importance of promoting peaceful, unfettered, and inclusive participation of states in global actions towards conflict prevention.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Buhari stressed that there can be no quick fix to human rights abuses, poverty, and inequalities, and that they require sustained investments and more effective international cooperation.
  • He emphasized the importance of promoting peaceful, unfettered, and inclusive participation of states in global actions towards conflict prevention.
  • The President pointed out that democratic gains in West Africa are being eroded by unconstitutional takeovers of power and called for the international community to take a stance against this trend.
  • He noted that poor and undemocratic governance, human rights abuses, poverty, ignorance, injustice, and inequalities are major causes of conflict.
  • President Buhari urged the international community to deal with the immediate causes of conflict, rather than just the symptoms.
  • He called for the extension of debt suspension initiatives to all developing countries and for outright debt cancellation for countries facing the most severe challenges.
  • The President reiterated his call for a fairer and more equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, highlighting the importance of vaccination in ending the pandemic.
  • He noted that Nigeria has made significant progress in containing the pandemic, with over 140 testing and detection facilities set up across the country.
  • President Buhari emphasized the need for a coordinated and sustained approach to address poverty, inequality, and the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.
  • He stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by terrorism, banditry, and other security threats in Nigeria and the region.

Statistics:

  • Nigeria has set up over 140 testing and detection facilities across the country to combat COVID-19.
  • Over 40,000 healthcare workers have been trained on Infection Prevention and Control measures in Nigeria.
  • Nigeria has established 16 infectious disease treatment centres located within teaching hospitals and Federal Medical Centres.
  • The number of terrorist fighters voluntarily surrendering to Nigeria's security forces has increased significantly.
  • Nigeria has continued to support peacekeeping efforts within Africa and beyond, with three of its Heads of State having actively served as peacekeepers.

Sources:

  • UN General Assembly (2021)
  • Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (2021)
  • ECOWAS (2021)
  • African Union (2021)
  • World Health Organization (2021)
  • United Nations Development Programme (2021)