UN in Nigeria: Charting a Path Towards a Brighter Future, By Mohamed Malick Fall

The indescribable destruction caused by the first and second world wars led many to desire an international organization dedicated to maintaining world peace.

The United Nations (UN) was therefore established on 24 October 1945, to maintain international peace and security and to achieve cooperation among nations on economic, social, and humanitarian challenges.

As we commemorate the ‘birth’ of the UN, we are reminded of its enduring legacy in promoting peace, development, and humanitarian relief across the globe.

The creation of the UN, nearly eight decades ago was a pivotal moment in international history – anchored in the vision of a world united to prevent conflict, protect human rights, and ensure dignity for all.

The values enshrined in the UN Charter resonate strongly in Nigeria, a nation that joined the UN on 7 October 1960, just days after gaining its independence.

Some will argue that the need for the UN has never been greater than it is today, at a time when multilateralism and interstate collaboration is under threat in an increasingly divided world. Not only is the spectre of conflict rearing its ugly head, but pandemics have also killed millions of people in the last few years.

Most importantly, humankind is facing an existential challenge through climate change. If we are to survive, we will need to put our own interest aside for that of humanity and common survival.

The UN’s engagement with Nigeria has been deep and transformative, spanning development initiatives, and humanitarian responses to the challenges faced by vulnerable people. Through decades of partnership, the UN has played a central role in support of the Government of Nigeria, positively impacting the lives of millions through its wide-ranging interventions.

First, humanity is at the heart of the UN’s work in Nigeria. Across Nigeria, each region faces distinct humanitarian challenges. The UN, through its agencies, in collaboration with local and international partners, with the Nigerian Government taking the lead, has acted as a beacon of hope for those in crisis. Interventions have ranged from providing life-saving food and medical supplies, to addressing the long-term needs of displaced people, including education, and psychosocial care.

The UN supports resilience building, agricultural recovery, food security, and livelihoods in affected communities, as well as reproductive health and protection services against gender-based violence. Furthermore, the UN aids displaced people and refugees, providing shelter and basic needs, while also supporting child protection, education, health, and nutrition programmes.

In Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, where conflict and displacement have left millions vulnerable, UN-coordinated humanitarian responses have been crucial. Over the past decade, at least five million people have received aid annually, courtesy of the UN and partners, ensuring their access to food, water, healthcare, and protection services.

Beyond emergency responses, the UN has continued to support Nigeria’s development. It has been pivotal in fostering sustainable development through a focus on capacity building, governance reform, and the empowerment of women and youth. Over the years, the UN has supported numerous educational and vocational programmes that have enabled thousands of Nigerians to rise above poverty and build better futures for themselves and their families.

More so, the UN has supported the implementation of projects aimed at enhancing the resilience of communities. Initiatives in agriculture, renewable energy, and economic diversification have been particularly impactful in promoting food security and mitigating the effects of climate change. Similarly, its support for the fight against gender-based violence and human trafficking is helping protect vulnerable people and upholding human rights.

Despite these successes, the road has not been without challenges.

Conflict, displacement, food insecurity, malnutrition, natural disasters, and climate change impacts remain significant hurdles in Nigeria’s path to sustainable development.

The humanitarian crisis in the north-east persists, with violence continuing to disrupt lives and livelihoods. The northwest struggles with escalating banditry and communal clashes, displacing thousands.

The north-central region faces recurrent farmer-herder conflicts, threatening food security and livelihoods. The south-west grapples with violence and kidnapping, posing risks to safety. The south-south is grappling with environmental degradation affecting both livelihoods and ecosystems. In the south-east, rising insecurity has disrupted local economies and essential services, intensifying the humanitarian needs of affected communities.

Moreover, rising inflation and the global economic downturn have compounded the struggles faced by Nigeria’s most vulnerable people.

As we celebrate the UN’s impact in Nigeria, let us remember that the journey continues.

Let all hands be on deck!

Mohamed Malick Fall is the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria.

Remembering Iyalode of Yorubaland

By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji

Precisely 365 days today at about 6. 45am, a telephone call I first received came from the home of Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson. My heart skipped…and listening to the voice from other end of the phone, It was sad news… Mama has gone to the Lord.

Honestly, I was immediately confused and still on my Jalamia, (Pyjamas) I drove straight to her private residence at Quarry Road in Abeokuta. Reality dawned on me on arrival and I couldn’t hold back tears which rolled down my face and I became speechless.

It was a Saturday I used to appear on live radio program on fresh F.M between 9-11am. When I regained my consciousness, I put a call across to management of the station, that I can’t make it because I was bereaved. As I was still trying to comport myself and further regain my strength as a man, there were torrential phone calls from my colleagues in the pen profession, knowing that I was her media adviser, trying to confirm authenticity of the sad news.

 I had no choice I had to issue a press statement early enough to avoid speculations and wrong news dissemination. I must confess in my career as journalist of over three decades that was my first time I will be writing a press statement on a demise of any individual.

 I must again openly say this, late Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Iyalode of Yorubaland, I knew for over 30 years was my great benefactor and I will continue to appreciate her even in death. She was there for me all time, a reliable mother, a sister and aunty from another womb.

 I have no regret knowing her, if there is opportunity to keep relationship in heaven, I will keep that relationship with Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson (Omo Jiboku Tanatana). Its exactly a year today you left this sinful world to rest in the arms of the Lord. The legacies you left behind speak volume. I pray you continue to rest in perfect peace. Adieu

Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji is founder of Penpushing Media and Media Adviser to late Iyalode of Yorubland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson

I saw Makkah and wept; you would, too, by Hassan Gimba

My recent visit to the holy city was the second time I was there, courtesy of the benevolence of Honourable Mai Mala Buni, the governor of my state, Yobe. The first was when I was practically wheeled there as a result of a debilitating illness that required first-class medical treatment.

The recent visit was for a follow-up treatment, and happily, my doctors attested to my improved health condition.

The governor has made it a state policy to provide free medical services to anyone who can come to Yobe State. To that end, he has upgraded the state health system to among the best in the country and, most likely, the best in the North, as attested to by no less a person than the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Umar Dikko Radda, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.

Where the medical solution for an indigene can only be found outside the country’s shores, Governor Buni’s administration has implemented a policy to facilitate that opportunity for those who apply and receive approval from a competent medical advisory committee.

Yet, in both instances, I wept for Nigeria, my country. Yes, it is possible, desirable, and acceptable for a Muslim to shed tears, especially in the presence of the Ka’aba, driven by longing and love for Allah and the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW).

However, my tears were for Nigeria and the feeling, or fear, that we were not getting it right. I found myself questioning whether we might have lost direction and are just groping in the dark with evil lurking at every turn.

First and foremost, there is no fear of insecurity whatsoever in the place. There was a time I was at the hospital until 1 a.m., sensing that I might have to stay the night due to various tests being carried out on me. So, I asked my son, who was with me, to return to the hotel, about 70 kilometres from the hospital, to bring some medication for me.

I felt no fear or doubt in allowing him to return to the hotel alone in a taxi, Bolt, or Uber ride that late at night because I knew no evil was lurking about. In this place, you can go to bed with your doors wide open.

In Makkah, it is common to see a motorist park in front of a shop, leave the engine running with the air-conditioning on—which means the key is in the ignition—and go in to buy necessities, returning to drive off after loading their purchases in the boot.

There is even a strong assurance that any person who stole the car, or anything for that matter, would be apprehended quickly. Not only does a criminal never remain free after a crime, but their justice system is a real definition of justice because it is meted out appropriately.

Everything works almost perfectly there. The hospital staff carry out their duties without expecting any appreciation from patients, and the patients themselves do not feel pressured to offer anything in return.

Regardless of one’s ideological, religious, or political beliefs, one cannot deny that the welfare of citizens is paramount in their leaders’ policies. A good example of this was when the Kingdom’s leadership responded to the global increase in oil prices, which particularly affected oil-producing nations and pushed up the cost of imported goods like food.

Among many other far-reaching measures to ease citizens’ lives, the government imported essential items, stabilising prices. This stability extends to their currency as well: it holds its ground against the dollar or euro. Unlike the naira, which trembles before them, the value of the Saudi Riyal six months ago is the same as today.

I witnessed fully air-conditioned pedestrian crossings with lifts at both ends! I thought to myself that in Nigeria, such facilities would be turned into makeshift homes or places for selling wares and for beggars. That is if the lifts and air-conditioning units had not already been cannibalised! Do we even have working air-conditioning units in key public offices and facilities, let alone for pedestrians?

Only a benevolent leadership imbued with empathy would contemplate putting in place such facilities to make life easy for citizens. And so we ask, can such edifices be erected in Nigeria by its leaders in the first place?

But then, one must ask, “Why?” And once you find the answer, you too will cry for the country as I did.

This is because there is a significant difference between Nigeria’s and Saudi Arabia’s leadership styles. One is focused on deliberately withholding what makes life easier, while the other prioritises making life better for its citizens.

When people understand that nothing that makes life worth living will be made available to them by those with authority over them, they lose their sense of self-worth. Anyone in this state can descend into moral depravity. Furthermore, they often scramble to meet their needs by any means necessary. This is why we see people, like locusts, descending upon warehouses, broken-down trucks carrying foodstuffs, and scooping petrol from fallen tankers, even though they know they are just a hair’s breadth from horrible death.

What is the way out? Everything boils down to leadership. Our leaders must recognise that sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. No one will begrudge them their ₦160 million SUVs if ordinary citizens can easily and affordably move from point A to point B.

No one would care about their salaries and allowances as long as putting food on our tables does not feel like a struggle. Most importantly, we must feel secure in our land and no crime should be overlooked or criminals allowed to roam the towns or forests freely.

Hassan Gimba, anipr, is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Neptune Prime.