Jimoh Ibrahim,UN Chaurman of Committee
The UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee on Tuesday observed a minute of silence in honour of about 25 Nigerian military officers killed in a military aircraft crash.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN and Chairman of the Committee, Amb. Ibrahim Jimoh, led the tribute at the opening of the Committee’s second meeting of the 81st General Assembly session.
Jimoh interrupted the normal proceedings to inform delegates of the tragedy and invite them to honour the deceased officers.
“Before we start, there was a tragedy yesterday, and very sad news from one of the Member States, Nigeria,” he said.
The Nigerian ambassador told delegates that a Nigerian military aircraft had crashed, claiming the lives of officers serving their country.
“About 30 military officers in the course of national service lost their lives,” he said.
The Nigerian envoy consequently requested delegates and representatives of Member States to rise and observe one minute of silent prayer.
“On this note, I request the indulgence of Your Excellencies to observe a one-minute silent prayer for the departed souls,” Jimoh said.
Delegates across the Fifth Committee chamber stood in solemn silence in honour of the fallen Nigerian personnel.
The moment briefly brought the Committee’s administrative and budgetary proceedings to a halt as representatives paid their respects.
At the conclusion of the silence, Ibrahim prayed for the repose of the officers.
“May the departed souls of the Nigerian soldiers, Air Force officers who died in the plane crash, rest in perfect peace,” he said.
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The Chairman thereafter thanked delegates and formally called the second meeting of the Fifth Committee to order.
The Fifth Committee is responsible for the administrative and budgetary affairs of the United Nations.
It is currently holding its main session under Jimoh’s chairmanship, with Member States considering financial, administrative and oversight matters affecting the organisation.
Jimoh said Tuesday’s tribute reflected solidarity by UN Member States with Nigeria over the loss of personnel serving the country.
The tribute also came only a day after Jimoh presided over the Committee’s first meeting of the session, placing Nigeria at the centre of the UN’s administrative and budgetary deliberations. (NAN)
