The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen, Leo Irabor, yesterday, said that Nigerian government spent $8 billion to restore peace in Liberia. He disclosed this while delivering his keynote remark at an event to mark the 75th-year celebration of the United Nations peacekeeping operations on Wednesday. “Since the first engagement of troops of our Armed Forces in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has been unequivocally committed to the principles and objectives of the United Nations. It has significantly contributed to 41 peacekeeping operations worldwide.
“Ever since, over 200,000 Nigerian troops have served in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide and Nigerian senior military officers have commanded some of these missions.
“Similarly, under regional and sub-regional cooperation, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in field missions in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Darfur and Sierra Leone and has contributed a lot in terms of finance, logistics, troops and civilian experts, making her one of the most significant African troops and civilian police contributors to UN missions.
“It is noteworthy that in addition to the loss of lives and injuries to personnel, the ECOMOG, a regional interventionist mediation force advocated to end the protracted Liberian civil war, was operated at an estimated cost of USD 8 billion to the Nigerian government,” Irabor said.
Gen. Irabor noted that Nigeria’s active participation in peacekeeping missions had assisted in saving countless lives and restoring peace and stability to several countries over the decades.
Also, speaking at the occasion, Gen. Martin Agwai, who was the special guest of honour, stated that the UN Peacekeeping had been a unique and dynamic instrument to help countries in conflict transition to lasting peace.
“As we celebrate this milestone, let us reflect on the past and look to the future. We must work together to enhance our collective efforts towards global peace and security,” Agwai said.
On his part, the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, paid tribute to over 4,200 peacemakers who lost their lives while securing peace across the globe.
“In carrying out this essential work, many peacemakers have paid the ultimate price. More than 4,200 peacemakers have lost their lives serving under the UN flag,” Guterres said.
“We stand in sympathy and solidarity with their families, friends and colleagues, and will forever be inspired by their selfless devotion to the cause of peace.”
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