Treasure 
Nigeria, my country…..the giant of Africa!
In 2007, when I visited my soldier who was deployed in Liberia on a Peacekeeping Mission, I learned that the armed forces of Nigeria had been active participants in various peacekeeping missions with outstanding achievements under the UN and AU.
I awoke this morning with the most fantastic thought: “Nigeria is one of the contributors to world peace and stability.” Different players have made their unique contributions in several ways, and one of the major players is “The Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Just when I thought there wasn’t room enough for another thought in my head, I had this;
“My husband is an amazing man to do what he does” (Army job). His selfless service is commendable, and he’s lucky to have such an extraordinary wife like me to support him and our kids.
This write-up will summarize Nigeria’s efforts at peacekeeping worldwide. Therefore, hop on, fasten your seat belt, and brace yourself for this hell of driving!
The Armed Forces of Nigeria and its Contributions to World Peace and Stability
When it comes to rating Nigeria, what comes to mind is our crude oil and an alarming crime rate. For instance, Kidnapping, Boko Haram Insurgency, Fulani Herdsmen attacks, Corruption, and Fraud. However, over the years, Nigeria has been instrumental in world peace.
A few days after independence, she contributed troops and commanded the UN peacekeeping force in Congo (UNOC). She also deployed the first set of individual police officers (IPOs) in Africa in ONUC in 1960.
Her interest and commitment to world peace have put her at the forefront of troops contributing countries to support the UN, regional, and sub-regional-led peacekeeping operations.
Nigeria has deployed military contingents, unarmed military observers, military staff officers, formed police units, police advisors, and civilian experts to dozens of missions worldwide!
Here is a list of notable countries where our troops have been deployed
- United Nations Mission in Congo (UNOC).
- United Nations Mission in Pakistan/India (UNIPOM).
- Military Observer Group to Namibia (UNTAG).
- United Nations Mission in Lebanon(UNIFIL).
- United Nations Observer Group in Iraq/Iran (UNIMOG).
- ECOWAS Peace Enforcement in Liberia (ECOMOG).
- United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR).
- United Nations Peacekeeping in Liberia (UNMIL).
- Military Observer Group to Western Sahara (MINURSO).
- United Nations Peacekeeping in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).
- United Nations Mission to Darfur Sudan (UNAMID).
- ECOWAS Peace Enforcement in Sierra Leone (ECOMOG II).
- United Nations Mission to Isreal (UNTSO).
Who would have thought?…. NOT ME!
Nigeria was one of the most significant contributors of troops on the African continent until 2015 when she slowed down on her Peacekeeping efforts due to internal security challenges.
Nevertheless, despite all her internal security challenges, Nigeria has still not relented in her contributions to world peace and stability as she still deploys troops and supports when called upon.
Nigeria had also provided leadership, men, and material within the West African sub-region. She provided military and other resources for ECOWAS in Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Gambia, and Sierra Leone. Nigeria established and operated level II hospitals in Sudan and Mali to effectively treat soldiers from several nations.
During the Liberian crisis, the NAF Hercules C130H aircraft was deployed to ferry several refugees to Nigeria and other African countries to seek refuge. The NAF Alpha Jets also provided combat escort missions for UNHCR flights to supply foodstuffs and relief materials for the internally displaced Sierra Leoneans.
For the records,
Nigerians have occupied strategic positions in UN peacekeeping. They are as follows:
- Prof. Ibrahim Gambari ( Joint AU-UN Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in Darfur – UNAMID).
- Olu Adeniji (The Central African Republic and Sierra Leone).
- Margaret Vogt (Special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in CAR).
In Furtherance,
Six Nigerians have served as Un Force Commanders. They are;
- Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi ( ONUC Congo).
- Major General Chris Garuba (Angola).
- Lt. Gen. Isaac Obiakor (UNMIL Liberia).
- Maj. Gen. Joseph Owonibi ( Liberia).
- Gen.Martin Luther Agwai ( UNAMID Darfur).
- Maj. Gen. Moses Obi ( UNMIS South Sudan).
General Obiakor and General Agwai also served as Chief Military Adviser and Deputy Military Adviser at Un Headquarters.
From the aforesaid, one cannot but give kudos to the Nigerian government and to all the gallant soldiers that made us proud. These heroes carved our country’s name in gold!
Above all…
All the successes achieved can also be attributed to all the strong military wives who kept the “Home Front.” They are HEROES behind the HEROES!
I commend them all, and I can’t be said to be selfish because, as the saying goes, “Behind every successful man, there’s a woman.”
Therefore, to these beautiful ladies, I say WELDONE!
I also urge Nigerians to feel proud of our country and walk tall among the world’s citizens despite the fact we may have dirt to clean up in our backyard.
But, PLEASE, Who doesn’t?
