S/15/PV.893 Security Council

In connexion. with the admission of new Members, the usual procedure will be followed. After the delegation of the Federation of Nigeria has taken its place on the floor of the Assembly, representatives will no doubt wish to express their welcome to the new Member. Twenty-sixrepresentatives have inscribed themselves for this purpose. After they have taken the floor, the Prime Minister of the Federation of Nigeria, who is here for only one day, will wish himself to address the Assembly. In orde:t' to enable him to do so at an appropriate hour, I would ask the Speakel"S who have inscribed their names to be good enough to restrict their interventions to a maximum of four minutes. I hope that delegations wlll be good enough to accept this arrangement too as an exceptional measure reqUired by the circumstances. 8. The Prime Minister of Nigeria will perhaps allow me today to share a little of his pride in today's achievement, because together the United Kingdom and Nigerians have sought to build a nation. Nigerians for many years have played a full part in the local government of Nigeria, in the regions and in the provinces, because Nigerians l'ecogniz(\d, with us, that democracy cannot be imposed from above, but must have its roots in instituiions which the people understand and which the p(~ople can manage for themselves. 2. Coming now to the matter before the Assembly, the admission of a new Member, the Federation of Nigeria, the Securi.y Council hasunanimouslyrecommended!! to the General Assembly thatthe Federation of Nigeria be admitted to membership in the Organization. 3. I shall now ask the Assembly to vote on the draft resolution sponso!"ed by Australia. Canada, Ceylon, the Federation of Malaya. Ghana, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Tunisia, the Union of SO'.~th Africa and the United Kingdom [A/L.3I8]. 9. It was in 1922 that the first elected Nigerians took part in the Legislative Council of their country. It was in 1950 that the process of discussion began on the federal constitution of Nigeria. It was debated in the divisions, in the provinces, in the regions and at the centre until everybody was satisfied that the constitution would fit the internal needs of a very varied country and would take the strain of independence when Nigeria was launched as an independent country in a competitive and a sometimes dangerous world. The Nigerians and the United Kingdom took time and patience, because it was realized that if independence was to be real and if independence was to endure, then Nigerian society must be seen to rest fi'rmly on law and order and justice; for those are the foundations of national stability and those are the standards which Nigerians would wish to follow in international conduct. The delegation of the Federation of Nigeria was escorted to its place in the General Assembly hall. 5. The PRESIDENT: Now that the representatives of the Federation of Nigeria. have taken their seats, I woUld like, on behalf of the Assembly as a Whole, to express to them very briefly a very cordial wel- ~me to the United Nations. We are confident that the 11. While I have listened to these debates in the last few weeks, I l).ave heard a number ofthings said about British colonial policy and about the independence that we have given to our 'dependent territories. I heard it once described as "fictitious". Iwastempted, perhaps, to claim my right of reply. But Why should I? Because if ever I saw a fact of independence- robust, colourful, indeed indomitable-it is here in the Nigerian delegation, which for the first time represents their country at this Assembly today. 12. After 100 years, at midnight on the last day of September, the British flag, which had flown over Nigeria for a11 that time, was lowered and the Ni- gerian flag W/LS prOUdly raised in its place. There was, on the part of the United Kingdom and all of its people, no hilnt of regret in that· ceremony; on the contrary, a c()mplete sense of satisfaction and of ful- filment of a mission, that we and the Nigerians to- gether had been able to do something which was very much to the good.of the world. 13. In welcoming the Prime Minister and his dele- gation here today, on behalf of the United Kingdom I should like to wish them every success in their new and complete independence and many happy returns of this most auspicious day. .

Mindful of the President's admonishment, I feel that many words are not required to assure the distinguished delegation from the Federation of Nigeria of the warmth of the welcome that has been accorded them already and of the enthusiasm with which we shall look for.., ward to a close association in the work cr~ this Organization. 15. The people of Nigeria come to this Organization well equipped in many respects to fulfil their obligations under the Charter and to strengthen the Organization itself. Their presence here today is a source of great gratification to all their friends because it indicates, for one thing, a closer approach to the theory of universality of the Organization, which all of us so ardently desire. It also indicates the onward march that is taking place of peoples, not only of Africa but of all other parts of the world, towards the goal of freedom and liberty, which is the dearest and the deepest wish of all humanity. 16. Nigeria comes to us fully eqw.pped :also because it is constituted of a people wru nave a long oultural civilization, which goes back to the ancient days of 18. On behalf of my Government and the p~oples of my country, who had the hon01.U' to send a speoial delegation to join in the independence celebrations on 1 October in Nigeria, we would like to express our heartiest congratulations and to wish the Nigerian Government and the Nigerian people and, partioularly, the distinguished Prime Minister who has honoured us with his presence here today, prosperity and success, and the happiness of all their peoples.

For the third time this session, I have the signal honour and the great pleasure of coming to the rostrum to welcome a new Member, the Federation of Nigeria, with which my country has long had the most friendly and fraternal relations. As the representative of a nation which was one of the first in Africa to recover its freedom and its independence, I feel that the p;rivUege given to me this year of sponsoring the candidatures of the new African states has a special value and significance. 20. Our dream, the hope which inspired all of us sons of colonized countrios, of one day seeing our brothers recover their freedom and dignity, is thus materializing throughout the world. The hope, born at San Francisco in 1945, of one day seeing the representatives of all nations seated in this plaoe and maldng their loyal contribution to the building of a better world, now becomes a reality. Like a "peau de chagrin", colonial rule is everywhere shrinking, liberating vast stretches of territory and tens of millions of human beings. From your chair, Mr. President, you see before you ninety-nine nations, united in their diversity by a common attachment to the principles of the Charter and by a oommon devotion to the cause of peace and freer!tlm; is this not a wonderful and encouraging sight? There are still seats to be filled here; those, especially, of l'te African peoples who, both in the north ofthe continent and in the south and south-east, are still fighting, sometimes dramatically and painfully, for their freedom, dignity and independence. My delegation, nevertheless, hopes and expects that, through the earnest endeavours of our Organization, we shall in due course see them seated here in their rightful plaoes. 21. And so it is most gratifying to my delegation and to all of us, especially in these distressing days when stormy debates give us so few occasions for rejoicing, that through shoal and tempest our Organiza-

My own countrY,Australia, very warmly associates itself with this welcome. We are delighted indeed that Nigeria should have become a fully independent nation. We have already expressed our delight, as the distinguished Prime Minister knows, by opening a diplomatic mission in his country. We like to extend the boundaries Cof independence; that is on(" of the great and happy ciroumstances in the world in our own time. 25. We know that the significance of Nigeria in the African continent will be very great. As has been pointed out, it is a large, powerful and responsible community. Its significance, therefore. in Africa will be very great, and as we all have reason to know if we did not know it before-although I am sure that most of us did-Afrioa itself has achieved in recent years a new and singular significance in the entire world, and therefore the great country of Nigeria may look forward' to paying a notable pRl't in the affairs not only of Africa but of the world. 26. We have already learned that the people of mgeria, in particular their \'ary distinguished representatives who are here today, are friendly people. I think that, whatever differences of opinion we might have on other matters, we may all say to them that here they will be friends among friends. They will find themselves COluplet-aly at home. . 31. It must be a source of justifiable pride to the people of Nigeria that the transformation from colony to statehood has been accomplished in an atmosphere of dignity and good will. reaching its culmination last Saturday on Independence Day. The Canadian delegation to that celebration has sent back a glowing account of the occasion. On achieving independence. it happens that Nigeria has chosen to remain.within the Commonwealth. This is an important event in the post-war evolution of the Commonwealth association of free and independent nations. This is indeed a further development of the pattern which was established almost 100 years ago in the period of Canada's evolution to independence within the Commonwealth. 32. In t.he United \Tations all countries have an opportunity to express the concern of their peoples to promote the objectives of the Charter, and countries such as Nigeria and other middle Powers have a particularly important contribution to make. 33.' This is a time when unusually heavy demands are being placed on the leadership of the African states. Nigeria is fortunate in having statesmen. legislators and administrators whose personal qualities, training and experience will enable them to serve it so very well. Nigeria also has the population and the resources to enable it to maintain and further develop its strength and stability. The voices of the independent states of Africa, to which Nigeria's is now added•. will be heard with growing attention in meetings of the General Assembly and of otherbodies of the United Nations. This will be a fitting reflection of Africa's increasing importance in international affairs. 34. To meet the varying needs of its national life, ~: ;eria has adopted a federal system not unlike our own in Canada. We 'are aware of t.he complexities of 37. Dato' KAMIL (Federation of Malaya): It is with sincere joy and a sense of great honour that my delegation joins in sponsoring the a-dmission of the Federation of Nigeria into this great family of nations. Our two countries have many things in common, not the least ofwhioh is our heritage ofparliamentary democracy and the rule of law with which, as mem.. bers of the Commonwealth nations, we are endowed and on which foundation we aspire to build our nation. The background of our two nations are very similar too, for Vie have diversities of raoe, culture and religion. And yet, through unity and diversity, we have each attained independent nationhood in tolerance and tranquillity. 38. The independence of the Federation of Nigeria is a stupendous landmark in the history of the glorious resurgence of the African peoples. The liberation of the people of Nigeria from British colonial rule is a shining example of the emergence of a dependent people into sovereign nationhood by peaceful, oonstitutional means for Which, I am sure, everlasting credit must be due both to the leaders and people of Nigeria as well as to the British administrators a.."ld Government. • 39. I can recall similar very happy circumst&.ilces when my own country attained its independent sovereign status three years ago. No hatred nor enmity slept in its wake, bu.t friendship, good will and mutual respect, which make the Commonwealth nations what they are today. 40. To the many millions of peoples in Africa and elsewhere now still aspiring to their own liberation, the independen;::e of the Federation of Nigeria must surely be a source of encouragement and inspiration. Let us hope that this event will make a deep impression that the force of nationalism is irresistible and the sooner this is recognized the happier the ciroumstances in which these outstanding problems will find final solution. 41. For the United Nations this is a day of boundless joy. With the admission of the Feclerationof Nigeria, this family of nations is the rioher by nearly 40 million free people whose r-epresentation here will certainly bring added wisdom and counsel, new strength and prestige to this Organization. 42. On behalf of the Gover'nment and people of the Federation .of Malaya, my delegation warmly weloomes the new Federation of Nigeria to our fold, and 44. In the view of the Ghana delegation, the first day of October 1960 is a day of momentous importance. We do not look upon that day as marking the birth of a nation; we prefer to look upon it as the date ma;rking the beginning of the re-emergence, the rebirth of an ancient people, an ancient culture whioh has h~~ do:rmant ovo.ing to an accidl3nt in history for r .lore than a century. 45. Thia .is part of the rebirth of Af!"ica, a !'ebirth, a liberation which began with the birth of Ghana, my own country. All Africa will take p't'ide in the fact that the people of the Federation of Nige!'ia, numbering perhaps more than 40 million, havetoday assumed their rightful place in international life. Too long have the Federation of Nigeria an~ other parts of Africa been delayed, too long has the 'W,:;rld been used to looking at itself fl'om a selected vantage point on the face of the earth, and too long has this resulted in a distorted view of what is actually happening, what the peoples of the world want and what is to be done in the international oommunity. 46. Perhaps I do not have to remind representatives that a large part of the ancient empire of Ghana which flourished in the Western Sudan during the mediaeval period formed part of the territorial area which now comprises the Federation of Nigeria. On an occasion like this, our minds go back into the glory of the historic past. Mocllarn Ghana salutes the Federation of Nigeria. .47. The people of Nigeria and of Ghana enjoy close relations. Having been colonies under the same colonial Power, Gree-It Britain, Ghana and Nigeria very early in their politic~l and constitutional lives shared common ideas, comm.on institutions and common aspirations. It is pertinent to mention here that one of the foremost political leaders of Nigeria, Mr. Nnamdi Azikiw~ started his political life in my own country, then known as the Gold Coast, whel'e he was a source of inspiration to us, the modern youth of Africa, in our' struggle for Afrioan emanoipation and independence. Contacts between our respeotive politioal leaders during that period.were fostered through such platforms as the Congress of·West Africa, the West African students Union of Great Britain and Ireland-of which I had the privilege of being president some time ago-and otherpolitical organizations. More recently,such contacts have been cemented not only directly by exchanges of visits but also through such forums as the All-Afrioan Peoples' Conference and the Conference of Independent African states. 50. This occasion is a victory, a real victory, in the course of a long and difficult struggle, the end of which is in fact not yet in sight. The independence of the Federation of Nigeria, like +hat of all the African states that are now free, wj.ll only become truly meaningful when all our brothers and sisters in the other parts of Africa-in East· Alrica, in Central Africa, in the Union of South Africa and also in Angola-have become free and independent. 51. I wish to say that the history of Nigeria lUld the cb:cun.\stances of the emergence of Nigeria as a sovereign state have established beyond doubt the wilUngn"ss of the people of Nigeria to play the~.r destined and significant role in modern international affairs. O!l1ce agaj.n, the Republic of Ghana salutes the Federation of Nigeria 8J\.j weloumes Nigeria to the United Nations. 52. Mr. K:rishna MENON (India): My delegation is privileged to be associated with other Com.,uonwealth countries and to be associated on behalf ef the Government and people of India in the good wishes expressed from this rostrum both to the people and . Government of Nigeria and the peoples aud Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the present occasion when Nigeria has become an independent country. I have also the great privilege of speaking on behalf of our neighbour countries of Burma and Nepal, who asked me to do 130. 5S. We from India have special reason to feel gratifled on this occasion, because the current of political eVolution which was released by the emancipation of India-the oppressed colony of conquest-to be independent under cbe British Empire at that time, 57. There is at tha present moment a comparatively unknown period between the Phoenician traders and, so far as I know) the later period when the French made an incursion into these te:rritories, only halted by internal troubles in ~France itself. I woUld like to draw the ourtain over the pel'iod that follows, because this is not the occasion for it. Then comes the challenge to the R~~1;uguese monopoly, when the Portuguese protested to King Edward IV of England because some of his men had gone on to the coast of Guinea and they said they had a Portuguese monopoly in this area and no one should go there. So began the conflict between empires, which is always the hope of dependent peoples. 58. Then came the great liberal movements in England which were responsible-and I say this deliberately-which were responsible for the overthrow of slavery and the liberation of a IU'gfl number of African peoples from the status they then had either in their own homeland 01' in o~he):: parts of the world. The . British Empire settled.Nigeria: the present boundaries began gradually to emerge. It is a matter for '1gratulation to the British people and a matter of s....,03faction to the Nigerian people that, unlike some ntllerparts of the world, their many institutions; tribal systems, and so on, for various reasons which we nead not go into now, were left comparatively free and intact. The liberal administra~onof West Africa enabled the emergence of the p:te.:'~nt Federation with its territorial particularity and, at the same time, a great sense of unity. I think, if the 59. Thus, we do not need to impose upon the secretary-General or anybody else the kind of burden that the United Nations has had to undertake in the Congo. because here are people educated. trained. and, perhaps, made to look forward to the assumption t'f responsibility. 60. Nigeria is the largest o.f the 'dependent territories of West Africa in population and extent. 61. The relations of our own country with Nigeria have been of an economic character. It is singular that that area, like the rest of West Africa. is surprisingly free from any trace of racial discrimination. It is a happy thing that those countries of the former British Empire which are now independent and entirely independent members of an association which we call the Commonwealth, where all power and authority derives solely from their own people, there is no racial discrimination in reverse. My own countrywould dislike to see, either on account of past history or on account of a newer form of colonialism, the emergence in any of these territories of a practice against a non-indigenous minority which recalls the "apartheid" practice in the Union of South Africa. Discrimination ill one direction or another is against the principles of the Charter and all elementary conceptions of human relationships. 62. Together, therefore, we welcome into this community of nations another great African territory, its boundaries shaped perhaps by pages of history of which everybody need not necessarily b~ prOUd-but progress always has diverse elements in it-and they come here through· progress made by their own efforts very largely responded to, as tIleir leaders said in the Conference in London, by the peoples and the Government of the metropolitan country in various degrees. The number of the population liberated in Mrica reached a total of 178 millions in the past twenty years. 63. In 1950, there were only four independent countries in Africa-that is, counting the Union of South Africa as an independent country by virtue of its membership in the United Nations, not in the sense that the majority of peoples are independent. Since then have come some twenty-five countries, making altogether a liberated population of 178 million out of an estimated total of 220 .million. OUt of the older colonial Empire of France. of four and a half million square miles, and the colonial Empire of Britainsmaller in· extent, but larger in population-only three-quarters of a milUon square miles remain. 64. This leads us to •the political aspects of this case. because it is neither a credit to Britain, nor to Nigeria, nor to Ourselves, to treat this occasion merely as a sentimental expression ofour views. The liberation of Nigeria-indeed, as of the rest of the countries-teaches us the lesson that there are no people anywhere in theworld who are not fitto govern themselves. 66. The United Nations. therefore, can point to all these territories as witness of the success of its gospel and also as justification for the demand that it must make upon other colonial countries. 67. At the end of the year perhaps others also will join until on that great continent which has now become so significant in the history of the development of peoples there alone will remain the empires of Portugal and of South Africa dominatingotherpeoples. We have not the slightest doubt that the sense of liberty and the passion for freedom that rests in the minds of peoples. the example of the greatness of these nations, their proximity, and the developmenteconomic. social and spiritual-they will make will be a force which no empire in the world can resist. This is the hope that we must have today, and I, on behalf of my Government and the people of India and of my colleagues of Nepal and Burma, tender congratulations to Nigeria and to the Government of the United Kingdom, and to the United Nations itself. for being able to welcome to our ranks a new nation with new contributions to make.

There are still sixteen names on the list of those who wish to express their welcome to the Federation of Nigeria. For the benefit of those who were not present when the meeting began, may the Chair again express the hope that speakers will endeavour to limit their interventions to a maximum of four minutes so as to leave sufficient time for the speech of the Prime Minister of the Federation of Nigeria, who will address the Assembly after the speeches 6f welcome have been concluded.

The advent of new Members to membership of this Organization is, I believe, one of the most distinguishing features of this Assembly, but the entry of our newest Member, Nigeria. is an occasion of particular pleasure to the New Zealand delegation. It is a pleasure, first, because it has attained its independence in such conditions of harmony, good will and maturity and a pleasure also because it has chosen the road of interdependence as a member of the Commonwealth. I emphasize "inter-dependence" because, while proper emphasis is, and must be, placed on nationalism, the road of inter-dependence, which our own United Nations symbolizes in a special way. is, 1 believe, the highest expression of nationalism. 70. Nigeria is a nation of great material power, being among the most populous and relatively most developed in the continent of Africa. Nigeria has attai:led its independenoe in good order, an order, indbed,· which gives evidence of those moral qualities of which Lord Home spoke. qualities which give us the fullest assurance that Nigerill will not only be a colourful ornament to this Assembly, but a country which v.1.11 make a thoughtful and valued contribution to the wider councils of this Organization. Nigeria is, I believe. born to greatness, and that is true not only 94. We welcome the fact that Nigeria's illdepende:nce has been attained through an orderly process of co-operation between the United Kingdom and the Federation of Nigeria, and that this sovereign entity has decided to form part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, which has, as we cannot fail to acknowledge on this occasion, made such valuable contributions to the United Nations. .With the independence of Nigeria, Africa·hoists·one more flag of a worthy and independent state for which we predict honour, progress and glory. 95. On behalf of the Latin Am.erican group, I have the privilege of extending to the Government of Nigeria a warm welcome and the heartiest congratulations ll!y.Jn its admission to the United Nations. 96. Mr.KHEffi (SUdan): I request the President's permission to repeat from this rostrUm to the Government and people of Nigeria the heartfelt congratulations of the Government and people of the Sudan, and also of the Government and people of Iraq, which my friend the l"epresentative of Iraq has asked me to extend. 47. I have another reason. That is, to compensate myself personally for a missed opportunity. But for the journey to the United Nations-, I would have jomed !he enr>rmous crowds that rushed from Khartoum to Lagos. SUdanese and Nigerians alike, led by the Minister of Education of the Republic of Sudan, in order ·to participate in the celebration·of the independence of Nigeria,which is-a thrilling occal~ion, and particularly thrilling to the people of the Sudan. The occasion is· partiCUlarly thrilling to us because of the relations that started from time immemorial between the two peoples. When caravans ,of Nigerians passed through Chad into the Sudan on their way to pilgl"image, the· motive was noble and the Meal-ion was very social. The relations which grew between the two communities were friendly and.everlasting, so that a great number of. Nigeriap.s are now living permanently .in the SUdan and a good number of them have already become.natura.lized Sudanese. who~· voices could not be heard in the past can now come here and make.the.tr contributions to the building of a new world. 105. If the development of that which is good, beautiful, tl'ueanduseful is universally considered as constitutingp:rogress, we may also . maintain that the development of art individualistic outlook into a national outlook, with consequent .stronger cohesion within each society, and the eventual transformation of this national outlookilito a universal outlook, binding together all .mankind, are· the·outward signs of the progress of men and of nations. That is why every political liberation ·ofa .people is not. only of benefit to that people, but represents an elementof universal progress in the e\Tolution of mankind. 106. We must pay tribute to the Nigerian people, for it is the author of.its own progress. The true protagonists .are the Nigerian people and its repl'esenta,. Uves, who, •..as faithful interpreters of iheaspirations of the Nigerien masses,have peen abl~ to establiSh 98. In the United Nations, and also in the community of African states which are independent, I am <:Jonfident that Nigeria·will play an effective and. constructive roleandlielp in the emancipation of Africa and that it will also develop a\Tery constructt~e policy. 1·have had the experience of seeing some of their .statesmen, whether· in the ·Economic Commission for Africa orin one of theconi:ei'enees of independent African states. underst~nding. relations with the representatives of other peoples. 107~ We are linked to Nigeria n.ot by subjective considerations of race, religion or colour, butbyhistory, by the ,necessitfesof our paststruggle,and by a common hope in the destiny of our peoples. 108. Nigeria is a word taken from the name of a river which flows through West Africaj this rivlilr, 4,700 kilometres in length,· rises in Guinean ,territory. I was .born at tb.e very source ofthisriver, in the .district called Faranah. It Is lmown that a policy of deforestation· in the Republic of Guinea has immediate repercussions on the rainfall, and.,conse- 99. I hereby give my congratulations to Nigeria and salute its people. . lOO.M;r.LOUTFl (United Arab Republic) (translated from· French): liis with the greatest pleasure that. I take the rostrum today, on behalf of my OOle- ~tion and the delegations of Afghan.istan and Yemen, to add o1U'congratulations to. those offered to the Federation of Nigeria on the occasion of its attain- 109. But geography alone does not suffice to explain the joy which we feel on the occasion of the independence of Nigeria and particularly on its admission to the United Nations.· What links us most closely is our common experience of the hard realities of the world, and of the cruelty-with which we were treated during a dark period in OUT history. What liIlkg us further is that our· message to 1ihe people of the world is a message not of hatred, or of egoism, but of understanding and friendship, 110. Let us turn our backs on everything which hindered our em.ancipation, which threatened the normal exercise of our liberty; let us look with hope to abetter future resulting from the establishment of co-operative relationships between our ~oples and all otherpeQplas, relationships transcending considerations of colour, race, or religious philosophy. It is .our wish that the African, the European, the A.,~an and the American should work to create the universal man. This is the role, the historic mssion of an assem.bly bearing suehgreat responsibilities as yOlkS, namely the United Nations. 111. Today. independence is being celebratl:ld.not only in Nigeria, b..>tl>:! seventeen countries whichhave just gained their freedom. We send our fraternal greetings to all these new independent and sovereign states~ 11~. Let. US remind everyone that the different circumstances in which peoples accede to sovereignty matter little. What matters, above all, is the way in which the regained sovereignty is exercis.ed in the name of the people and for the people; what matters above all is the special qualities that each nation can and must contribute to consolidate the foundations of democratic progress in the world and ensure decisive victory in the battle for peace. We may say therefore that independence means "awareness" ~above all. Awareness of a nation's responsibility to safeguard its own personality and to develop its own civiliza- .tion and culture, awareness of exercising the attributes .of sovereignty for the benefit of mankind, both nationally and in a wider sphere. 113•. We are convinced that the .relative superiority of nations can no longer be based on the colour oUhe skin,~r on wealth,but rather on the quality oftheir contribution to human happiness. Just as in a nation men are. not .. graded by their height or size but by their national·lInportance, ·we are a little snrprisedand we should. like others to recognize this-that some people, Whilst applaUding Nigeria's independence, .do not emphasize.·the· victory of Africa as a whole, the victory of all the peoples of the world. but stress what is·peculiar to Nigeria as opposed to the other African states. 114.. We read!Jl the press that this great colossus of 35 million people 'will soon enter theUnlted Nations and .. take on. the role of leadership in Afriea. Some say that Ghana is afraid of Nigeria; others that the countries of the. French Community are also afraid of Nigeria, and so forth. . 118. In thanking the Assembly, we would expres!,! in conclusiOn our great confidence in the destiny of our . peoples and our high hope that the United Nations will historically play an ever-increasing part in bringing about the final triumph of justice, liberty and solidaJ"ity in democracy and peace. 119. Mr. M'HAMMEDI (Morocco) (translated from French): I do not come to the rostrum in ,order to welcome such a great nation as the Federation of Nigeria; that would be presumptous on my part..I come to thank it for joining us, to express our joy at finding again our brothers whose place was empty and to celebrate with them freedom, dignity and independence. 120. I need not emphasize-for others have done so before me and others will do so after me-how much we have gained and how much we are enriched. I need scarcely mention the size, the population, the economic resources of the new state. But one elementary factor must be mentioned: the human factor. As other more authoritative voices have said before·me, N'igeria is noted for the public spirit of its population and the maturity of its ISlite, and its accession to independence is, in It sense, only a return to its native climr.i;e of .libel\'ty; it crowns the struggleofa people .wh:'.ch, 'since losing its independence, has never ceased to strive towards it and has finally regained it. 121. I cannot forget, as an African,that our continent is not fully represented here; that our continent, which has felt a breath of freedom and independence, must, with human dignity, tolerance. and frien4ship, sweep away the laet traces of foreign occupation,I welcome in anticipation the peoples who will soon join us here to enrich both our heritage and the United Nations. 124. Nigeria's road to independence has not been an easy one. The Nigerian people will have many difficulties to OVE,rcome before they can put an end to the economic backwardness resulting :n-om long colonial- 1st domination. Nigeria is an -ancient·country with a rich cultural heritage. At the same time, It is a large country, wilth a population of 35 million, and possesses rich natural resources and potentialities. These resources must now belong to the industrious people of Nigeria themselves. That is a prerequisite for the existence and development of every people. 125. We are confident that the Nigerian people MU soon overcome the difficulties that stand in the way of eliminating the last vestiges of colonialist domination and in the way of developing their :t1ational economy and culture. We whole-heartedly ..l:;'lh t.he people of Nigeria national prosperity "and democratic development. The socialist countries wish to assure the' Government and people of Nigeria that in their efforts to strengthen their independence, and to reinforce peace and co-operation among nations, they 'will always meet with understanding and friendly support in the socialist countries. 126. The delegations of the socialist countries express the hope that through its participation in the work of the United Nations the Federation of Nigeria will .make a worthy contribution to the cause of strengthening peace and security among nations. 134. Nigeria gained its independ6nce in an orderly, calm and. peaceflll manner.' This in itself is' a fine . tribute to the perseverance, tenaciousness and sagacity .of the Nigerian leaders and also to the United Kingdom, its former administering Power. On behalf of my country and i1:s people, I extend warm. sincere and fraternal congratulations and felicitations to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria and its people orl this bold step. and my delegation extends a hearty welcome to the Nigerian delegation. 135. Nigeria, v..1thit~lvastterritory, its large populati.on,and its wealth of resources, as well as its

It is 1." mere sense offormality that· prompts the delegation of China to join in extending a warm welcome to the Federation of Nigeria•.Only a few days ago, and again in the general debate this mOl"ning, my dele~ation laid stress on the emergence of the African states as'an event of unprecedented importance. This important event which stirs the imagination of free peoples every- Where is now crowned bythe admission of the Federation of Nigaria, with all its attributes of a modern democracy. 128. This is a proud moment indeed not only for the great continent of Afri.ca and for the British Commonwealth, but also for the United Nations which, by its Charter, emphasis on the progressive·development of free institutions and towards independence, has in no smt111 measure helped to acceler"~te the

This is certainly a great day for all of us, all the people in the world who love freedom and wish mankind well. I wish, on behalf of the people and Government of Israel, to congratulate the Federation of Nigeria on its independence and its entrance into the United Nations. 131. It is a great occasion for me personally because it was my particular privilege and pleasure to have visited the great country of Nigeria two years ago. As I saw and felt the joy and optimism of the people of Nigeria, the extraordinary ability and the absolute devotion of its leaders to the cause of the people, led in this path by their great. Prime Minister, as I visited their institutions of health and higher learning, as I saw and felt the fervour of the entire people for rapid development of the country, I could not but carry away the feeling that this was a country already free and independent in spirit. I feel that thiS day is not only a great day for the-Nig-erian people, and not only is it important for the contribution that the Nigerian. Federation will undoubtedly make to the United Nations as a whole, but I am convincf'd that Nigeria's membership in the United Nations vill be a great factor in the acceleration. of the independence and freedom of all the states that are not yet with us in this Assembly. 132. I wish to congratulate the Federation of Niggria and I wish to congratulate the United Nations and wish it many and speedy retUl'ns of days like this. 133. Mr. BARNES (LiberiA): Theadm1ssion of another African state. the Federation of Nigeria, to the United Nations is a source of pleasure and great pride to the Liberian delegation. The Federation of Nigeria thus becomes tht' sixi:')enth African State to be admitted to the United Nations this year. histori~al and cultural heritage, will make an important addition to this Orgarl..i.zation by playing a valuable and effective role in the fulfilment of the purposes and principles of the United Nations.Nigeria's admission represents another victory in the relentless struggle in Africa and other continents for equality, hu.-n.an dignity and justice. In rejoicing over the fact that some of the principles enunciated in the ChaTtel', partinma:r.ly as they affect the right of self- 139. In repeating our best wishes for the prosperity, progress and peace of t1le Federation of Nigeria, its people and Government, on their attainment of national independence and on their admission to the United Nations, the Libyan delegation hopes that this happy and historic event will speed the process of liberation of all remaining dependent peoples, in AfrIca and thrOl.~ghout the world.

·The delegation of Finland has the great privilege and honour of extending, together with its own, the most cordial congratulations and fraternal wishes of welcome of the delegations of Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Irelau.d, Norway and Sweden, tu the delegation of a new feHow Member, the Federation of Nigeria. Our seven delegations take much pleasure in looking forward to friendly and fl'uitful co-operation with the Nj.geri~n delegation j.n the promotion of the common g;.)als for the attainment of which we have \mdertaken to work in subscrIbing to our Chatter. 141. In deciding unanimously to ac'l..:..nit the Federation of Nigeria to membership in the United Nations, the General Assembly has paid a well deserved tribute 144. Four of these States have a common frontier with the Federation of Nigeria.-Cameroun, Dahomey, Niger and Chad. These states have pe.,~fect unclouded relations with their neighbour; one oi them, Cameroun, already maintains diplomatic relations with the Federation. I wish therefore especially to expr6ss the great joy of those peoples who, by reason of geC?graphical proximity, and consequently of closer brotherly ties, have particularly friendly relations with each other. Where Nigeria is concerned, these relations rise from human and economic contacts of the greatest antiquity. I have, then, been asked 'by the twelve states that I havs mentioned to stress how significant is the entry into international life of a state which is great, not only on account of its size and population, but for the moral aad spiritual values which make it particularly deserving ofindependence, the greatest prize which a nation can win. 145. Like us, the Federation of Nigeria has re~ covered its independence in an orderly, harmonious and dignified manner. Like us, it has been able to provide a respected Government, an active andefficient administration, and all the essential machinery of a mOcfern state. Like US'" it has been able to inspire those feelings of unity, national pri.de, love of liberty and true democracy without which the forward march of a nation cannot proceed in harmony. Like us, it has been able to mould a national soul and to breathe into it faith and enthusiasm. 146. Throughout Africa, today's events will cause a stir. Its significance will not be overlooked in our towns and villages; Nigeria's entry into· the concert of nations, following the entry of fourteen other African states and of Madagascar, means that Black Africa, whose influence has for so long been non- Eustent and latterly relatively weak, will now make itb voice heard and express the point of view of millions of human beings aware of their rights, but aware also of their obligations towards the rest of 147, We are sure that the new Airican states will understand how vital this unity is and t..llat, hand in hand and with eyes fixed not on the past but on the future, they will work together within the United Nations to ensure the peace and prosperity of the world in harmony and brotherl~r unity, 148, Mr. SOEBANDRIO (Indonesia): It is a great privilege for me and a great pleasure, on behalf of my delegation and also on behalf of the delegation of the Philippines, on behalf of the Indonesian Government and people and the Philippine Government and people, to associate myself with the reflections expressed by the speakers before me. We heartily welcome the admission of Nigeria into the comity of nations which is the United Nations. We are confident that, as a Member of the United Nations, Nigeria will contribute much in bringing about speedy and wise solutions. We are confident that in our deliberations we will benefit from their wisdom and from their ingenuity of thought iu tlrls Assenlbly. We are sure that their entrance will give our deliberations more vitality and speedier progress. 149. From that we are also certain that Nigeria as an independent country, Nigeria in facing its problems, Nigeria in solving its problems, will also give inspiration to all of us, 'especially to the newly independent countries. The methods by which it is solving its problems-politically, economically, technically or socially-will certainly be of greet advantage to other nations. especially the newly independent countries and the technically underdeveloped countries. 150. Apart from that, we all recognize that the emel68nce of Nigeria as an independent country and the admission of Nigeria in this Assembly hall also means that we are progressing towards the establishment of the universality of human civilization. After all, human civilization is not only a reflection of the technical civilization, it is not only a reflection of the craftsmanship of 1.ts people. it is not only an expression of its art, of its culture, it should also be a reflection of the characteristics of mankind, that they have a sense of justice for everybody, a sense of justice for their fellow human, and a sElnse of justice for their fellow m:.tiG~s. For this reason the admission of Nigeria means also that we are making progress in achieving the completion of human civilization for everybody, for every nation. In our time, it should be regarded as archaic, perhaps. and barbaric, for one nation to colonize other people or for one nation to exploit other nations.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Cyprus, I address a hearty and cordial welcome to the .Prime Minister and the people of Nigeria. 152. In response to the President's appeal to save time, and their special request, I convey also a. warm message of welcome to the people and Government of Nigeria from Greece, whose many nationals residing in Nigeria have created specj.al bonds. of friendship. 154. There is much in common between the people of Cyprus and the people of Nigeria. Many Cypriots live happily in Nigeria as devoted citizens of that country, and they do so in a spirit of real brotherhood. We· and the Nigerians have both emer~dfrom a colonial status and attained' independence almost simuJtaneously. Above all, we have, and cannot but have, the same outlooks and aspirations for world freedom and peace, the same dedication to the United Nations and, I trust, ~he same independent and objective approach to international problems, an approach based on the rights of, and justice for, the common good. In this spirit, I hail with joy and warmth the dynamic entry of free Nigeria to the United Nations. 155. Mr. ALEMAYEHOU (Ethiopia): The delegations of Japan and my own country have entrusted to me the privilege of extending a hearty welcome to the Federation of Nigeria on the occasion of its admission to the United Nations. 156. It is a source of gratification and satisfaction for the Government and people of Ethiopia to see the Federation of Nigeria attain its independence and be admitted to the United Nations. As I have said on other occasions, the independence of anation and its admission to the community of nations are not in our view a privilege, but a right, an inalienable right of every nation which is able to discharge its international obligations and duties. It is our sincere hope that the right of. independence and admission to the great family of nations which has so,far been denied to many nations in Airica :and elsewhere will begiveli in time, and peacefully. 157. I am sure not only that Nigeria,. the most populous country In Africa, with its vast hum&n and material resources, actual as well as potential, is able to discharge its international duties and obliga~ tions prescribed in· the Charter, but also that it will contribute to the solution of the many problems facing Airica in particular, and the world in general. 158. I should like, therefore, on behal10fthe delegations of Ethiopia and Japan, to extend the most sincere and hearty welcome to the Federation of Nigeria on the occasion of its admissionto the United Nations and to wish Nigeria every success. 159. Mr.VIDIC (Yugoslavia):- The process of liberation now taking place in Afric.a is a positive and essentially historical process which, nO doubt, strengthens to a considerable degree the for.ces of the international community in itsstrllggle for peace, international security and deVe10!lment of international peaceful co-operation. 160.. The emergenc,e on the international scene of such an important country as Nigeria constitutes anoth~r very significant ,step towards the final liquidation of the colonial system and ,towards the strengthening of the positive.role played by the. new independent countries in international.relations., 162. I wish to express here the nlost profound friendly feeling of the Government and peoples of Yugoslavia towards the Government and peoples of Nigeria. We wish them much success in our common efforts directed towards the implementation of the purposes and principles of our Organization.

On behalf of the people and the Government of Spain, I wish to associate myself with the eloquent and cordial congratulations that have been addressed to the Nigerian delegation upon the memorable occasion of the new African state's entry, as a Membel'. into this great Organization, to which we are sure it will make an effective and brilliant contribution. This new contribution to the Organization's work in the interests of world peace is doubly welcome to us, inasmuch as Nigeria attains full sovereignty at a time when its political and economic maturity make it one of the most advanced and progressive countries of the African continent. 164. May your delegation to the United Nations count many successes in its mission, and may your people and your Government, to which we express our sincerest wishes for their prosperity and well-being, join in the work of the community of countries of gclod will that earnestly wish for peace.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome, in the name of Lebanon, the independence of the great Federation of Nigeria, especially as our two countries were already closely linked in friendship before either had attained independence. In accordance with the President's wishes, I will not refer to the period, thousands of years ago, when people of my country circled the great African continent, without however colonizing it, and gave to it the name of Ifrikia which has been handed down to us hysucceeding generations. 166. Today, several thousand Lebanese, settled in Nigeria for more than a generation, are enjoying the hospitality of that country and are working with the Nigerians themselves in furthering its development and prosperity. The Lebanese have thus shared •....ith the Nigerians the cUfficulties and the joys of this new African state's recent hisiory. They have boen admiring witnesses of the long effort and sacrifiees of the Nigerian people in attaining its independence and freedom. They know that the Nigerians are worthy of this freedom· and that their great country will be a useful member· of the g-.reat family of free and in~ dependent nations. 167. With the admission of Nige.i'ia, the process of emancipation of peoples and their entry into the United Nations, on the basis of the principle of sovereign equality, takes on an accelerated rhythm. Our ardent·wish is that this fundamentally human process should, in the very near future, attain the objective envisaged by the Charter of the United Nations, namely; the liberatIon of all nations, in whateve't' part of the world they may be, and of all men, to wh~ltever nation they may belong. 169. The prestige of the Federation of Nigeria, this large, industrious and promising (lountry "f Afrioa, the achievements it has already won in many fields, its innumerable economic potentialities, and Elspeot.. ally the very high standing which the leaders of Nigeria enjoy in Mrica and throughout the worl~-all these oonstitl..'1:e elements pointing to a most important role that th6 Federation of Nigeria will be able to play not only in the continent of Afrioa but also within the United Nations at large. We areencouraged in this conviction by the manner in which the Federation of Nigeria has attained the st~tUf.l of an independent and sovereign nation through a process of democratic and peaceful progress, ma.king it now a constructive element in the international community. This new state, which ia a harmonious, federated compound of free and peace-loving peoples, has developed a political awareness, an administrative structure and, finally, a constitntion whichgtlarantees to all that it will be able to meet the requirements of a modern nation based on the principles of freedom and justice. 170. For all this, I think we must also express our cnngratulations and our appreciation to the United Kingdom, which has made it possible, through invaluable contributions in the moral and material fields as well as through its far-sighted wisdom, to bring the people of the Federation of Niger.ia to independence. The acL.-nission of the Federation of Nigeria constitutes one more evidence of success on the part of the responsible nations in that continent in striving to take their destinies into their own hands in full harmony and in compliance with the rules and laws of the international community. Through this achievement of the Federation of Nigeria we register another eloquent success on the part of the peoplea of Africa, who I am sure will all COntribute to the welfare of mankind, within the framework of our Organization. 171. Alhaji Sir ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA (Federation of Nigeria): Last Saturday the country which I have. the honour to represent, the Federation of Nigeria, became independent and assumed the rights and responsibilities of a sovereign state. Today Nigeria has been admitted to the United Na.tions and assumes still more responsibilities. 172. On behalf of my countrymenin Nigeria I thank you all most sincerely for accepting us as a fellow Member of this Organization. We are ,properly grateful for this recognition and for the generous and friendly gesture made by so many Members who sent very distinguished delegations to join us in oelebrating our accession to independence. I am particularly pleased that so many important representatives· (jould come to Nigeria on that·occasion,because they will be able to inform their Governments of the genuine ' 174. It is perhaps natural that I should speak &bout Africa first. We in Nigeria have been fortunate in achieving 0UI." independence without bloodshed or bitterness, and I hope that this will lend weight to the proposals which I am about to set before you. 175. The recent tragic events in the Republic of the Congo must be uppermost in all our minds, and it is about that country that I wish to speak to you first. I frankly admit that there are many features of this seemingly intractable problem which remain obscure to me. I am in some doubt as to the exact manner in which the Constitution granting independence to that oountry was drawn up by the colonial Power which formerly administered the territory, and as to the degree of consultation which there was with the Congolese peoples themselves, and at what level that oonsultation was carried out. I do not knowhow widely the provisions of the new Constitution were known in that country, or whether there is any pattern of administration going up from the village to the prcvincial and to the national level. 176. Many other questions present themselves which require to be answered if we are to find a solution to the present problems. For instance. was a new Constitution imposed from above, or freely accepted by the CongoleSf!; and what are the human resources in the country; and what sort of government maohinery is available to execute whatever policies may be decided upon by the Congolese Government? Nevertheless, with the information which is available to us. we in Nigeria feel there are several important factors to be constantly borne in mind in dealing with the problem. 177. The first of these is that Africa must not be 1i11owed to become a battleground in the ideoiogical struggle; For this reason the Congo situation must be a matter to be dealt with primarily by Airican states at the political level. 178. Sfoondly, we believe that in dealing with the problem of creating a real political life in the counh'y .itself it will be necessary to start at the bottom, by seeing that local and provincial authorities aI'S established, while maintaining the essential unity of the country. 187. I have said already that much of the present situation in the Congo is obscure. But from what I have hetu'd I believe that the situation is not so desperate as is sometimes thought. I am told that the lower branches of the civil service are efficient, that the public utilities continue to function and that there is a fair amount of executive capacity. 188. It seems to me important to ensure that the ordinary day-to"day government is kept working, because if that is allowed to collapse, the difficulties will b9 increased a thousandfold. In ordi:lr to man the higher positions it will obviously be necessary to train the Congolese. To this end, I propose that those African states which hold the same views as Nigeria combine With us to find places in secondary and technical schools for some hundreds of Congolese boys. I do not think that ignorance of the language of instruction would be much of a problem, and I am sure that· the effect of a large number of Congolese seeing how other African countries manage their own affairs would have a beneficial result and will help the Congolese to take a wider view and to realize fully the importance of not allowing a breakdown of the constitution to take place. 189. African states can also help by taki~g a limited number of Congolese for some professional train- ~ng in community development, co-operatives, agricultural ,,)xtension work, and 7he like, and by sending short-term advisory missions to survey the requirements of the Congo in building up what already exists there. 190. Nigeria is prepared to make its experience available and to send technical experts·to assist in planning and·development for the future. We can also lend I',"ofessors and teaching staff from time to time to give short courses and lectures, and I assure yuu th.at many qualified Nigerians axe eager to take part in such work during their school and college vllcations. H~l. Those are. but a few of the ways in which the Ciongo can be helped. I am sure thai late though it aliready is, it is not too late. We African states should Cl)me together to assist the Congolese to solve their p'roblems. Tfeel sure that we can do sO,but it must be done collectively and not done merely as so many ilndividual states. We must do it together and we must be. entrusted with this responsibility by the United Nations and be gJ:\fen its full backing. Nor would I lbnit advice and assistance to African countries, but wo'lJ1d welcome the partioipation of other states, 193. Economic weakness lays a new country open to every kind of pressure and results in other countries depriving its people of the freedom to choose a form of government which they feel suits them best. Spreading political propaganda. or more insidious infiltration through technical assistance can Virtually rob any under-developed oountry of its freedom. I therefore feel that if the advanced nations of the other continents are really desirous of seeing the new African states stand on their own feet and make their own particular contribution to the peace of the world and to the happiness of mankind, they should make a real effort to desist from fomenting trouble in any of the African countries. The best way for them to assist us in reaching maturity is not by spreading ideological propaganda, in whatever form it may be disguised, but by helping us genuinely, with really good will, to develop our resources and to edc:.oate our human material up to those standards which are necessary for proper development. 194. Many of the new African states are, indeed, potentially rich and should contribute to improving the world but for the fact that they lack the technological knowledge and the financial capital necessary to develop their resources, It is especially in this field that I commend the many schemes which the United Nations has sponsored for assisting the underdeveloped countries. Indeed, I wish that there were many more of them. I would not necessarily limit technical assistance to the United Nations, but I do seriously suggest that it is in the best interests of world peace for assistance from elsewhere to be given only to those countries which, although still under-developed, are politically stable and have a properly constituted government which is capable of undersl:anding the risks of accepting aid from another country. I certainly deprecate direct assistance being given by individual Powers to countries which aTe not yet able to stand on their own feet and are piDlitically unstable, because such aid would only give rise to suspicion and, in the enti, the receiVing cO'..mtry may find itself involved in the ideological war, a thing which, as I have already said, we in Africa mUl:lt do everything in our power to prevent. 195•. I wish to make our position pXain beyond any measure of doubt with regard to the African oontine11t. We in Nigeria appreciate the advantages whioh the size of om country and its population give us, but we have absolutely no aggressive intentions. We shall never impose ourselves on any· other country and shall treat e",ery African territory, big or small, as our equal because we honestly feel that it is only on that basis of. equality that paace can he maintained· in our continent. ~:rena where party politics could be played on the highest leva' and where ideologioal differences would obsoure the main objeotive of securing peace among the natiO!lS and stability in the world at large. 197. I hope that priority will be given in the various geographical groupinga -I refer to the west and the north and to central Africa-to joint consultationfil about non-political matters such as the co-ordination of the transport and communication systems, research in connexion with natural resources, and, above all, education. I should like to see students being freely admitted into the universities of other neighbouring territories, and I am sure that by such steps we shall entirely eliminate any desire or need to station armed forces on our frontiers. However, I must say that I do not myself think that ideas of political union are practicable in the immediate future. I do not rule out the possibility of eventual union, but for the present it is unrealistic to expect cOWltries to give up the sovereignty which they have so recently acquired, and I am quite sure that it is wrong to imagine that political union could of itself bring the countries together. On the contrary, it will follow as a natural consequence of co-operation in other fields. So I wish to state that I think that it will be the greatest threat to peace in Africa if any country sets out to undermine the authorityof the properly chosen leaders of another state with a view to imposing political union. That'way can only bring trouble. In the fullness of time, as political relations develop and there is more and more consultation between the states of regional groupings, then political union may well be a natural result, but it would be wrong either to impose it or to seek to hasten the process unduly. 201. We in Nigeria honestly believe in the principles of the United Nations. and we believe that with a change of heart among the Members, and especially among the more powerful nations, there is no reason why there should not be !;)eace and happiness. I think that all will agree that the present tension in the world is due to mutual suspicion &ld the efforts made by groups of countries to impose ideological notions of one kind or another on their neighbours. I am speaking frankly to you, Mr. President, because this is the first occasion on which my country has been able to speak out in the councils of the world. One great advaI).tage whioh we new nations have is that the accession to independence makes a clear cut with our past and presents us with the opportunity to enter the field of international relations untrammelled by prior commitments. It is probably the one occasion in the life of a nation when it is possible to choose the policies with the inherent qualities of goodness. And so, as we gratefully take the place to 'Which you have invited us, we feel an immense responsibility to the world which you represent. We see nation wrangling with nation, and we wonder how we can help. 198. So far I have concentrated on the problems of Africa. Please do not think that we are not interested in the problems of the rest of the world. We are intensely interested in them and we hope to be allowed to p,ssist in finding solutions to them through this Organization. But, being human, we are naturally concerned first with what affects our immediate heighbourhood. We do indeed believe in the United Nations as providing perhaps the only effective macilinery for inducing world peace. But while proudly and gratefully accepting membership of this supreme world body, may I frankly say that we who waited for admission hav9 sometimes been concerned lest our older and more powerful brethren are losing sight of the objective which, in founding this Organization, they sought to serve. If I think correctly, the whole purpose of this Organization is to enable the different ctluntries to work together in a friendly atmosphere to procure the peace and progress of mankindp and this co-operation is meant to link all the Member nations, no matter what sort of Go'Vernment each individual country enjoys within its own boundaries. It was .also, I believe, the intention of the original 202. Just one week ago the clocks were striking midnight and Nigeria was on the threshold of independence. There was a brief ceremony at which the leaders of three different faiths each said a brief prayer. We then realized,all of us~ that howeveJ,' much we might imagine ourselves to be responsibll~ for the happy accession to independence, we·realize that, 3.bove all, there is a divine Providence, and. I do honestly believe that one primary essential fl.)1' international friendship and co-operation is for ea.ch man to be true to his religious beUefs and to reaffirm the basic principles of his particular creed. It may be that then, when we hear "..he world crying out for peace, we may receive the inspiration to deal With 199. Nigeria is a populous country. There fU'e about 40 millions of us and our territory ts relatively large. We are willing to learn before we rush into the field of international politics, but we are totally unwilling to be diverted from the ideals which we think true. That is the Nason we in Nigeria will not be found to align ourselves as a matter of routine with any particular bloc. Indeed, I hate the very idea of blocs existing at all in the United Nations. 200. '1"he General Assembly, the s~premeconference in the world, if the ideas on which it is based are really accepted, then one 'Would expect every.:representative, no matter from where he comes, to feel absolutely free to exp~ess the mind of the country he represents, to feel that he is in no way restricted either by the lobbying of other representatives or, in the case of under-developed countries, by being put under an obligation through technical and financial aid. Each representative shoulc'! be strong enough to resist all efforts to defleot him from the path of truth as he sees it.