KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ALHAJI UMAR MUSA YAR’ADUA, GCFR AT THE 3^RD NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE, 22^ND OCTOBER 2007

PROTOCOLS,

It is my sincere pleasure to be with you at this epoch making event, the 3^rd Nigerian International Secondary Schools Model United Nations Conference. The theme of the 2007 Conference “Culture and Religion in Reproductive Health and Rights” addresses an issue of national importance. It is my hope that these issues would be discussed thoroughly in order to arrive at sustainable solutions to all the problems militating against reproductive health rights of Nigerians.

I must commend the organizers, the Nigeria Model United Nations Society (NigMUNS) who deemed it fit to bring together the youths who represent the nation’s future leaders to discuss pertinent issues of concern to the world at large. I know that NigMUNS, through the annual Model United Nations Conferences provides a proper forum for the youth of this great nation to broaden their educational horizon about world affairs through skills acquisition that can enhance their academic pursuits and future professionals careers. In addition, the Conference’s will afford the delegates the opportunity to foster, develop and maintain a spirit of diplomacy that will improve their consultative skills, as well as enabling them to understand the rudiments of debating and negotiating, which if properly deployed will help them in conflict resolution.

It is worthy to mention that the United Nations Organization unites the whole world in tackling issues that affect humanity through its different agencies, such as FAO, UNDP, UNICEF and WHO to mention a few. I am sure that you are aware of the importance the UN places on active participation of youths in addressing world issues. Consequently, All over the world, youths are being trained to carry numerous responsibilities of ensuring a better world for future generations. Your simulation of the activities of the UN will, in this event, further acquaint you with the workings of international organizations, and further enhance your effort towards tackling world problems.

This conference has come at a very opportune time when concerned agencies of the UN system are actively collaborating with government in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and other related diseases affecting the reproductive health of the populace such as infant and maternal mortality and sexually transmitted diseases. The youth should therefore be exposed to the positive roles our various culture and religions play in helping them make wise choices on their reproductive health and rights.

I will recall that since 1981, when the first case of HIV/AIDS was first reported we have been working with different international partners to eradicate the scourge. From the records of our country about 2.9 million of the nation’s population has been confirmed to be HIV/AIDS positive, and a large percentage of this group are youths between the ages of 15 – 25 years of age. This group constitutes the future of this great nation, and therefore all hands must be on deck to ensure that they are adequately protected and well informed about the implication of the disease. This can only be achieved through proper information dissemination and the right kind of education that will help them make the right choices. Your contribution in this regards can not be under estimated.

This approach you have adapted is very strategic because through sharing of information, a lot of youth will be informed about their reproductive rights and responsibilities. By this, you should see yourself as a catalyst in spreading the information gathered at this conference and use it as a means of educating others considering that education is a major key in increasing the awareness of the populace on issues related to reproductive health.

As you are well aware, this administration has firmly resolved to tackle the issues that are militating against qualitative education in the country. This is borne out of the fact that wide spread quality education is indispensable if we are to reposition Nigeria as one of the top twenty (20) economies in the world by the year 2020.

This administration is committed to build on the strengths of the past government in ensuring that Nigeria becomes a knowledge society. To achieve the feat, we intend to establish more and strengthen the existing high Educational Institutions, to produce more scientists and technologists, medical personnel, technicians of all categories, I am therefore calling on you as the future leaders of this great nation to believe that our dream of carrying this country to the great height we envy sage is achievable, with your firm support and contributions, Nigeria will indeed be on the right path to national recovery and development by showing interest in and actively participating in issues related to national cohesion such as tolerance and peaceful coexistence across the nation. I therefore enjoin you to join in the fight against corruption, by desisting from examination malpractices and cultivating a sincere desire to learn. This is one of the major ingredients that will enable us to achieve our goals.

My dear countrymen, I believe in leadership by example and I have assured the nation that I will be a servant leader. As each one of you is a leader in his/her right, I want to remind you that it is time for you to build your character on the platform of integrity and honesty so that when the responsibilities of leadership are thrust upon you, you will be ready and equipped to handle the challenges that come with it.

Finally, while wishing you successful and fruitful deliberations, I urge you to come up with a strategy that will address the problem of reproductive health and related diseases in our great Nation.

Once again, you are all welcome.