Mali, Bakassi and Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea top agenda in meeting between the Nigerian President and the UN Sec-Gen.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan met with the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, at the commencement of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday in New York.

Reports from the assembly say that shortly after receiving the president, both parties had a closed-door meeting.

Issues discussed at the meeting included topical issues relevant to Nigeria, such as improving the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea; as well as implementing the International Court of Justice’s judgement on Bakassi Peninsula, ownership of which has been consistently disputed.

According to a source, Ban and Jonathan also agreed on the urgency of stabilising the political situation in Mali; and a concerted international approach to problems in Guinea-Bissau, and Darfur, South Sudan.

The importance of socio-economic factors in reducing terrorism in the Sahel was also discussed with emphasis placed on increased investment in agriculture, education and employment.

NAN