Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, has made a strong case for the inclusion of Nigeria and the African Union (AU) in G20 as the world continues to seek inclusivity for Africa.
Speaking in New Delhi, India while participating in the first foreign ministers’ meeting, under India’s Presidency of G20, Onyeama called for the reformation of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.
In a statement by his media aide which was made available to Africa Today News, New York, Onyeama said it was an honour and privilege to address the gathering, following an invitation to Nigeria as a guest country of G20 under India’s presidency.
The invitation by India, Onyeama noted, demonstrated the high level of warm relations that exist between Nigeria and India in particular and members of G20 in general.
‘I am, therefore, of a strong conviction that, as the largest economy in Africa, with stable and uninterrupted democratic governance, Nigeria should become a permanent member of G20 in the nearest future,’ Onyeama said.
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The former deputy director general of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) commended the government of India for a well-thought-out theme: ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ which took into cognisance, the significance of the earth and the need to protect it.
The minister further said it was in line with the theme that India successfully hosted the ‘Voice of the South Summit’ in January 2023, which provided a platform for the Global South to share their perspectives, priorities and expectations from the G20.
‘I wish to relish in the fact that my President, Muhammadu Buhari, actively participated in the summit. It is hoped the outcomes of the aforementioned summit would be brought on board in the forthcoming summit of the G20 in September, 2023.
“Permit me to note that Nigeria attaches significant importance to the G20 as the premier forum for global economic cooperation and its role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues and other fields that are of concern to members and the world at large.
“We look forward to working closely with the G20 and its members as we seek to address issues of concern to today’s world, including the need to develop digital health solutions; vocational training, and technology transfer to the South; digital finance and financial inclusion in developing countries; holistic approach to debt burden, climate change, and post-pandemic recovery measures,’ Onyeama said.
Addressing the meeting on ‘Strengthening Multilateralism and Need for reforms’, Onyeama said Nigeria recognised the fact that the most pressing contemporary issues cannot be addressed without multilateral cooperation and stronger collaboration, saying cooperation among diverse regions is the only path to a peaceful, stable and prosperous world for all.