United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that his mission in Nigeria was to strengthen the UN and Nigeria "traditional partnerships" in areas of peacekeeping operation, health and MDG's.

Ban Ki-moon, who is in the country on a two-day official visit, stated this while responding to newsmen shortly after his meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.

He said, "I am here to discuss how United Nations and Nigeria can further strengthen our traditional partnerships and call for the country's continued leadership roles in the region and in the world.

"Since the admission of Nigeria into the United Nation since half a century ago, Nigeria has been in a steady and strong partnership with the UN.

"Just a week after your independence, you had dispatched your men and women as members of peacekeepers. Now you are the fourth largest troop and police contributing country, starting with Darfur and nine other different areas where your men and women have contributed greatly to the peace and stability of the world and I deeply appreciate," he said

Ban Ki-moon, said with a "strong political leadership and supported by international community and full participation of the civil societies, the MDG target by 2015 can be met and this is exactly what I have been urging world leaders to come and show leadership on."

Ban Ki-moon also commended the leadership role of Jonathan and the passage of the Healthcare Bill by the National Assembly.

He hoped Nigeria would continue to play its leadership roles sub-region as displayed in Cote d'Ivoire as Chairman of ECOWAS.