By Oluwaseun Sonde
United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has said on Wednesday that UN is very active in support humanitarian efforts of the Nigerian government, while calling for an additional $351 million as part of the overall $1.1 billion for the humanitarian response plan for Nigeria.
Guterres who was on 2-day official visit to Nigeria, disclosed this when met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, welcoming the establishment of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Returns and Resettlement of Displaced Persons in the North-East of Nigeria.
According to him, "Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit Borno State, and I must confess that I arrived in Borno the impression caused by so many years in which I was hearing stories about how dramatic the situation was, how terrible the suffering of the people, how impossible to control the terrorist activities.
"A sense of despair. But the Borno I met yesterday was the Borno of hope. And I saw an enlightened policy, aiming not only at defeating militarily the terrorists, but addressing the root causes of terrorism.
"I saw the Governor committed to re-establish the confidence between the people and the government, committed to provide the people in their different villages around the state the capacity to protect themselves, committed to create the conditions for the return of the displaced.
"And also for the reintegration of those that have abandoned Boko Haram, that have finally discovered that terrorism is a crime against humanity, a crime against God’s will, and that now need support to reintegrate in the society. And that support I could witness in the visit I made" he said.
Guterres who appealed strongly to the international community to fully support what is being done in Borno State to make sure that the hope that he saw can be transformed into a reality of peace and prosperity for everybody. "I believe Nigeria and its people have a big role to play in shaping solutions to the global crises engulfing our world".
UN Chief extended his deepest condolences to the victims of the appalling attacks in the Plateau State two-and-a-half weeks ago. "It’s is another tragic reminder of terrorism’s scourge across West Africa and the Sahel.
"And another reason why the United Nations is committed to supporting national and regional efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism, organized crime and their root causes, such as poverty, exclusion and food insecurity. This includes the UN’s Integrated Strategy for the Sahel".
He thanked President Buhari for his unwavering support of Multinational Joint Task Force and the Lake Chad Basin Commission. "We also discussed the other challenges that of course Nigeria is facing today. Nigeria was, like all African countries, victim of the unequal recovery from COVID-19.
"Despite the government’s ambitious goal to vaccinate 40 per cent of the population by the end of last year, only about 6.4 per cent have been vaccinated so far. I have consistently sounded the alarm and called on wealthier countries, pharmaceutical companies to step-up the donations, invest in local vaccine production, and support the fight to counter vaccine misinformation and vaccine injustice".
Added that with many competing health priorities in Nigeria, he do believe that [COVID-19] vaccinations must be integrated with all other vital vaccinations and interventions. 'Then, Nigeria is feeling the effects of a warming planet from droughts, floods and rising temperatures, to crucial ecosystems like Lake Chad at risk of drying up and disappearing altogether.
"Holding global warming to the necessary 1.5 degrees means cutting global emissions by 45 per cent this decade. But present Nationally Determined Contributions worldwide put us on track to a 14 per cent rise in emissions.
"This is a disaster in the making for all countries, including Nigeria, which is already in the danger zone of high climate vulnerability. Developing countries need a massive boost in technical and financial support to spark a just transition to renewable energy and green jobs.
"They also need help to build resilience against the impacts already battering them. This includes scaled-up support for the massive Great Green Wall initiative to keep desertification in check, and create decent jobs and thriving regional economic corridors that benefit all people.
"All development banks and the private sector must urgently work with governments to design and deliver bankable projects. We need to see 50 per cent of climate finance going to adaptation, and reformed eligibility systems so vulnerable nations can access it. Developed countries must now deliver on $100 billion climate finance commitment to developing countries this year".
UN Chief hailed the success of Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Plan and its efforts to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area, overcoming the inflation and investing in Sustainable Development Goals, all depend on increased access to external resources and the effective mobilization of national ones.
"At the same time, our analysis indicates that the war in Ukraine is only making things worse, setting in motion a three-dimensional crisis that is devastating global food, energy and financial systems for the developing countries.
That’s why, in the earliest days of this war, I established the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance, involving all UN agencies and international financial institutions. The Steering Committee is chaired by Deputy Secretary General that you know very well, Amina Mohammed".
He also thanked the Government and people of Nigeria for not only hosting the United Nations but for rebuilding and reopening the United Nations House in Abuja in 2019 following the terrorist attacks in 2011. "It was a very generous, effective, and I would say beautiful contribution. The building is indeed remarkable.
"Just as Nigeria has stood with the United Nations, the United Nations stands in solidarity with Nigeria across the board. We look forward to strengthening our partnership and advancing peace, security and development across the country, the region and and the world".
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