Nigeria Warns Security Council On Possible Threats Of Nuclear Weapons

The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ambassador Joy U. Ogwu, has expressed Nigeria’s worries over the possible threats that the use of nuclear weapons could pose on the world.

Speaking in her national capacity at the just-concluded United Nations Security Council’s debate over the ban of nuclear weapons which held in New York, Ambassador Ogwu expressed extreme concern at the threat of possible nuclear weapons use.

Ogwu who spoke on behalf of the African Group reiterated Africa’s deep concern over the slow pace of nuclear disarmament and the lack of progress by the nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals in line with their legal obligations and undertakings.

“The NPT’s indefinite extension should not be construed as the indefinite possession of nuclear arsenals.  Any such assumption was incompatible with the objectives and purposes of the Treaty, its integrity and sustainability, as well as the broader objective of maintaining international peace and security” she further told the Security Council.

She also urged States parties’ continuing commitment to strengthening the objective of non-proliferation, the significant second pillar, by ensuring compliance with the appropriate guidelines provided by IAEA.

The Nigeria’s envoy said Nuclear-weapon-free zones played an important role in preventing proliferation, enhancing global and regional peace and security, and contributing towards realizing the objectives of disarmament.

She also stated Africa’s strong disappointment at the failure to convene the conference on establishing such a zone in the Middle East in 2012, as agreed, stressing that the 1995 resolution on the Middle East, an integral and essential part of the package on the basis of which consensus had been reached on the indefinite extension of NPT, remained valid until the zone’s establishment.

Speaking further, Ogwu welcomed the gesture by nuclear-weapon States to reduce the stockpiles of those inhumane weapons.  she also noted that the expectation remained their total elimination, urging the nuclear-armed States to fulfill in good faith their legal obligations under the NPT’s article VI.

According to her, only a demonstration of their full commitment to nuclear disarmament could truly lead to meeting the Treaty’s objectives.

She however disclosed that the Africa’s delegation saw neither moral nor acceptable reason for other States not party to the Treaty to threaten international peace by developing, testing and adamantly defending their possession of those weapons.

“The many benefits of nuclear disarmament were never in doubt, and NPT States parties, and all United Nations Member States, must demonstrate sincerity of purpose and commitment to that goal” she concluded.

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About Unknown

Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.