Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sir-leaf yesterday in New York acknowledged Nigeria's immense contributions to ending the war in that country.
Also, French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated that "Africa has its place" in the Security Council, an issue that has pitted leaders on the continent against the developed world.
In her address to the 63rd session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Sir-leaf admitted that Nigeria's military input was instrumental to stabilising Liberia.
The leadership portrayed by Nigeria during that turbulent period is unprecedented in history, she said.
Sir-leaf told the audience that her country was grateful to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
She added that "we will always be grateful to ECOWAS which has now dedicated itself to economic integration."
The Liberian president stated that Africans had resolved never again to go to war.
She observed that her country's experience had taught leaders not to shy away from their responsibilities again.
During his address, Sarkozy admitted that issues concerning Africa cannot be adequately addressed when the continent is "disregarded."
The French president declared that his administration believes in "African renaissance" propelled by the youths of the continent.
He said: "Europe is telling Africa that it has its place among the permanent members of the Security Council and in the G8 enlarged to 13 or 14. It also believes that African renaissance, which has well and truly begun, is first and foremost the responsibility of Africans, particularly young Africans.”
The five permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council are the United States (US), France, United Kingdom (UK), China and Russia and Nigeria has in the past fought to be given a seat at the council.
Sarkozy called for a renewed partnership between Europe and Africa, adding that countries all over the world have more in common.
He declared that what binds nations together was more than democracy.
Human dignity, he stated, was a universal value appreciated by all.
"Europe is saying to Africa that it is committed to co-development; that it wishes to be a privileged partner for Africa, that it has a common destiny with it, a profound sense of solidarity.
"What we must promote everywhere is respect for this diversity, which is the surest guarantor of peace and human fraternity, the surest antidote to intolerance, hatred and violence. This is what Europe wants: peoples united in respect, understanding and solidarity, working together for the great common cause of safeguarding the future of humanity," he declared.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, is to address the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly on Sept. 29, according to a new UN schedule.
Maduekwe, who led a Nigerian delegation, is representing President Umaru Yar'Adua, who is not attending this year's UN general debate.
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the new schedule was released yesterday.
According to the schedule, the minister will deliver the president's speech before a gathering of the 192-member states' representatives and observers.
Maduekwe, it was also learnt, will also hold meetings with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, other UN senior officials, as well as with AU, G-77 and Commo-nwealth officials.
The UN has, however, announced the postponement of a high level meeting between President Yar'Adua and his Cameroonian counterpart, Paul Biya on Bakassi.