UN Women Envoy Urges Leaders to Make Peace, Justice Nigeria’s Legacy

From Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe

Ambassador Fatima M. Paga, UN Women’s focal person to Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, has called on leaders at all levels to prioritize peace, justice, and sustainable development as the enduring legacy of Nigeria’s independence.

In a statement to mark the nation’s Independence Day, Amb. Fatima Paga said millions of Nigerians, particularly in the Northeast, are still grappling with the effects of insecurity, displacement, and climate change.

“From insecurity to flooding and drought, I have seen firsthand how families have been uprooted, how communities have been fractured, and how lives have been traumatized,” she said.

Despite these challenges, she noted that Nigerians have remained resilient. “We are rebuilding, we are healing, and we are surviving stronger and more determined, because we still believe in the promise of this nation,” she added.

Amb. Paga urged leaders to move beyond promises and make peace, justice, and security practical realities.

She stressed the importance of inclusive policies that give hope to children, farmers, and mothers whose lives have been disrupted by conflict and natural disasters.

She also called for deeper investment in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing peace, climate action, education, clean water, and economic opportunity.

“These are not just global ambitions,” she said. “They are lifelines for millions of Nigerians whose survival and dignity depend on decisive action.”

Amb. Paga call for unity and renewed patriotism. “As we raise our flags today, let us also raise our voices for peace, for equity, and for a Nigeria where no one is left behind. Let peace be the legacy we hand over to future generations,” she said.