On 1 October, MINURSO commemorated Nigeria’s Independence Day by raising the national flag at the Mission HQ in Laayoune.
Nigeria has been a major contributor of troops and police to United Nations peace operations. The country first provided peacekeepers to the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1960 – the year of its own independence. In 2003, Nigeria was the first country to join UN Mission in Liberia, when the authority was transferred to UN blue helmets from forces led by the Economic Community of West African States and kept there its largest contingent until the closure of the Mission in 2018.
Nigerian Lieutenant General Obiakor served as UNMIL Force Commander and, further, was appointed as Military Adviser at the UN Headquarters [link] – the highest military rank in the Organization.
In MINURSO, eight Nigerian peacekeepers are currently deployed at the Mission HQ in Laayoune and five Team Sites west and east of the berm serving under austere conditions of the desert.
Today, Nigeria celebrates the 62nd anniversary of its independence. The country, abundant in natural resources is also the most populated state on the African continent. The colors on its national flag stand for its natural wealth (green), and peace and unity (white).
Thank you, Nigeria!