UNGA : COVID-19: Nigeria pursues equitable distribution of vaccines- Buhari

… says we’ll continue to uphold human rights

President Muhammadu Buhari has renewed his advocacy for the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world.

The Nigerian leader made the call on Friday in his remark at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly tagged UNGA 76.

President Buhari said: ‘‘Vaccination is the key to our safe emergence from the pandemic. Nigeria remains grateful for the assistance received from our partners and friends all over the world.

‘‘We fully support the COVAX initiative from which we have benefitted. We also thank the United States of America, Turkey, India, China, the European Union, and others for the vaccines provided.

‘‘Despite the acknowledgment, however, I would like to reiterate my call for a fairer and more equitable distribution of vaccines to all countries so that, together, we can fight and contain the pandemic.”

President Buhari noted with dismay, the emergence of new strains of the dreaded disease thus, the need for more vaccines.

‘‘The rising wave of newer and more contagious strains makes this even more urgent. No country can afford the socio-economic implications of prolonged shutdown. It is imperative to underscore that no one is safe until everyone is safe,’’ he said.

He has also used the occasion to outline the steps Nigeria has taken to achieve ‘‘moderate success’’ in containing the virus and halt its deadly onslaught in the country.

 ‘‘At the outset, we recognized detection and contact tracing to be important tools in combating the virus.

‘‘In this connection, from a mere four laboratories with testing and detection capacities, we ramped up the facilities to over 140 centers today.

‘‘Similarly, we built isolation centers and emergency hospital wards in record time all over the country. We carry out genomic sequencing in designated laboratories across the country with a view to detecting variants in circulation.

‘‘In addition, over 40,000 health care workers have recently been trained on Infection, Prevention and Control measures with the support of various partners.

‘‘Through the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, we have established 16 infectious disease treatment centers located within our Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centers,’’ he said.

He made the declaration in New York on Friday, while addressing the UN General Assembly.

He said: “Nigeria has been steadfast in safeguarding human rights, including the advancement of women, the protection of children, the protection of the rights of people living with disabilities, the treatment of migrants, refugees, returnees and displaced persons as well as, the promotion of fundamental freedoms through all legitimate means.

“In this regard, my delegation commends the positive example of leaders like Prime Minister Jacinda Arden of New Zealand. In this context Nigeria calls for collective global action through a Treaty to end all forms of violence against women and girls of all ages.

“Nigeria remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the advancement of human rights within its shores and beyond. This is so even in the context of a vicious decade-long onslaught by terrorists against Nigerians, quite contrary to unwholesome reports by some who hardly verify what they state against us.”

President Buhari used the occasion to also call for concerted effort against the rising cases of racism around the world.

“The recent rise in hate related crimes globally underscores the urgent need to continue our engagement about racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other related intolerance. It is sad to note that the issue of racism remains alive globally.

“We are beginning to forget our affirmation of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of every individual as enshrined in the UN Charter. No society can claim to be free or just if it deprives anyone of these rights.

“Nigeria has long been a principled fighter against racism and all forms of discrimination inspired by its African experience. In the past, racism oiled the machine of slavery and colonialism. Today, racism drives hate crimes and institutional discrimination. In all this, Africans and people of African descent are among the major victims.

“Cognizant of these, I commend Member States for adopting by consensus the resolution on the Establishment of the Permanent Forum of People of African Descent on 2nd August 2021. I am confident that this forum will make significant impact in the quest to end race-related vices and injustices,” he said.

The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the forthcoming Review Conference of the Nuclear Prohibition Treaty.

He said: “Nigeria is fully committed to nuclear non-proliferation and has always supported the view that it should involve all States.

“Disarmament Conventions deserve the support of all states, small, large, nuclear or non-nuclear. Nuclear weapons remain the ultimate agents of mass destruction, and their total elimination should be the final objective of all disarmament processes within the broad spectrum of goals being pursued by the United Nations.

“In this regard, Nigeria would participate actively in the forthcoming Review Conference of the Nuclear Prohibition Treaty and also the First Meeting of States Parties to the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, scheduled to take place within the first quarter of 2022.

“Nigeria regards these upcoming events as important steps towards the realisation of a world free of nuclear weapons. We are, therefore, supportive of any diplomatic efforts in this direction. We hope that the upcoming NPT review conference would lead to a successful outcome that would facilitate the denuclearisation of the world. We would do our part to ensure such an outcome.”