President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the international bodies to sanction black market of mineral resources across the globe as most of it is are stolen products from third world countries of Africa. Tinibu made the appeal while delivering his address at the ongoing 78th United Nation General Assembly, UNGA currently being held at New York, United states of America. During his address, the Nigerian leader said, “This is my first address before the General Assembly. Permit me to say a few words on behalf of Nigeria, on behalf of Africa, regarding this year’s theme.”
Speaking on Nigerian security, Tinubu said, foreign actors has been consistently knocking on the Nigerian door for the last decade though is being abetted by local criminals who aspire to be petty warlords who have currently conscripted some local villagers into servitude to illegally mine gold and other precious mineral for their foreign collabortors.
Consequently, billions of Naira that would have been used to develop the country is now being utilised to fuel violent skirmishes across the country that if it is left unchecked have the capability of throwing the country into chaos.
It is no longer a secret that illegal mining activities have been going on in Nigeria for the last decade which is responsible for the insecurity especially in the northern part of the country that has displaced many villages settlement.
States like Zamfara, Osun, Niger, Nasarawa and Plateau states have become hub for foreign firms especially the Chinese who always connive with the locals and sometimes armed group to take control of mining sites.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has voiced his plan against the armed groups, “Mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north” he said, “harmful traffic undermines the peace and stability of an entire region,” and there are plans to disband “extremist groups on our turf.”
Commenting about the recent development of junta in Niger Republic where Military toppled the civilian government, Mohammed Bazoum, Tinubu said, “We are negotiating with the military leaders. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region. I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission.”
He explained, “Our entire region is locked in protracted battle against violent extremists. In the turmoil, a dark channel of inhumane commerce has formed. Along the route, everything is for sale. Men, women, and children are seen as chattel.”
He noted that African states are facing difficult time in its history, as Democratic Republic of the Congo, is another ball game saying that “The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered this for decades, despite the strong UN presence there. The world economy owes the DRC much but gives her very little.”
“The mayhem visited on resource-rich areas does not respect national boundaries. Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, CAR, the list grows” Tinubu added.
The Nigerian leader reminded the global arena that “Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future.”
This was the first appearance of president Tinubu at the global state of the united Nation Annual General Assembly as he was sworn in as a Nigerian leader on the 29th may, 2023.
