2007 - JAMB Government Past Questions and Answers - page 1

A hidrance to the democratization of the United Nations is Resistance of the big powers.

It is the five permanent members of the Security Council that is usually referred to as the big powers. The big five are as follows:

1. U.S.A
2. Britain
3. Russia
4. China and
5. France.

Each of the five permanent members of this Security Council has a veto power. In most cases this could be used to satisfy their respective selfish interest at the expense of fulfilling the objectives of the Organization. The United Nations has in most cases proved helpless in cases of aggression involving big powers . For example America invaded Vietriam and Iraq. The defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) also once invaded Afghanistan but nothing was done by the United Nations Organization in each case. Again the United Nation's Power of sanction is often ignored by member states especially the big powers. For instance, when economic sanction was placed on a country such as in South Africa during the period of apartheid policy, some member states such as Britain still traded with the country.

So it should be clearly realized that the veto power and permanent status of some member states in the Security Council is highly discriminatory and undemocratic.

An essential principle that guides the activities of the United Nations is respect for the sovereign equality of member states.

This Stands to reason that all the member states of the United Nations are sovereign and equal. No state will be too big to dominate others and no state would be too small to be recognized.

The African Union was established to consolidate Africa's position in global politics

A principal defect of the Commonwealth is lack of commitment among member states. For instance some member states find it difficult to pay their dues while some belong to other organizations to which they pay more allegiance. For example, Britain is a member of the European Economic Community (E.E.C)

Nigeria declared that she would not attend the OAU summit in Tripoli in 1982 unless Libya withdrew her troops from Chad, but this was not done. This was during Shehu Shagari's administration.

In fact, the President did the imprecedented by boy cotting two summits in succession on what some writers described as ''some spurious grounds'' The boycotts were in Nairobi in 1981 and then that of Tripoli in 1982.

Nigeria's non-aligned policy was criticized because of the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact.

This Pact was signed during the Balewa government. But due to very stiff opposition and pressure from pressure groups such as student's Union, the Pact was abrogated in 1962.

The 37th OAU Summit in Lusaka, Zambia in July 2001 adopted the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), as the integrated and comprehensive socio-economic development programme to accelerate Africa's renewal, in the form of Declaration 1 (XXXVII).

The Lusaka Summit also agreed on the creation of the Heads of State and Government Implementiation Committee (HSGIC), which in turn established the NEPAD Steering Committee and the NEPAD Secretariat to coordinate and administer its activities.

Nigeria's interest in teaming up with other developing countries in the world is predicated on preserving her independence and promoting development.

Major General Joseph Garba was once Nigeria's permanent representative at the United Nations.

Ethics and accountability in government can be guaranteed through due process and transparency.