Nigeria asks US, Russia and France to back its UN Security Council bid
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Tribune Online
Nigeria’s ambassador to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, received representatives of the United States, Russia and France in New York and asked them to support Nigeria’s bid for a seat on the Security Council next year. He promised Abuja’s support for UN reforms, according to the Nigerian mission.
The United States, Russia and France visited Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York on the same day, as the country seeks support to win a seat on the UN Security Council next year, according to a statement from Nigeria’s mission to the United Nations, reported by Tribune Online.
Nigeria’s ambassador and permanent representative, Jimoh Ibrahim, received Melanie Higgins, the US adviser for African affairs. It is the second visit by US officials to the mission in two months. "Nigeria needs your support to sit on the Security Council next year," he told her. He assured her that his country would support UN reforms.
Jimoh Ibrahim chairs the United Nations Committee on Programme and Budget and Administration. He also received Russian representatives. According to the mission, the bid rests on Nigeria’s weight in Africa, its contribution to peacekeeping operations and its regional role.
These contacts come as Washington examines Nigeria’s response to attacks on Christians, after a US House committee was announced on 10 November.
