Nigeria has called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to uphold the principles guiding the election of its secretary-general.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call in a statement issued on the sidelines of the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the OIC in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Mr Enikanolaiye said the principles included competence, integrity, experience, geographical balance, rotation, consensus and equal opportunity among member states.

He said the criteria were consistent with the OIC Charter and established procedures.

The minister commended member states for withdrawing their candidates, saying the gesture demonstrated solidarity and unity within the organisation.

He congratulated the newly elected secretary-general, Ismaïl Ahmed, and pledged Nigeria’s support for his tenure.

“Nigeria commits to working closely with him for the success of his tenure in the service of our organisation,” he said.

Mr Enikanolaiye said Nigeria attached great importance to the OIC as a strategic platform for promoting peace, cooperation, development and interfaith understanding.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and an independent and sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for the protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian assistance and an enduring cessation of hostilities.

The minister also urged the OIC to give greater attention to Africa’s developmental and security challenges, particularly those affecting the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.

He advocated stronger OIC-African Union cooperation in peace and security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, trade, investment, education, youth empowerment and infrastructure development.

Mr Enikanolaiye said Nigeria was ready to deepen cooperation with the OIC through practical programmes in humanitarian affairs, vocational training, healthcare, women and youth empowerment and capacity building.

He also commended the outgoing secretary-general, Hissein Taha, for his service and appreciated the Saudi Arabian government and people for hosting the CFM session.

(NAN)