Government lauds U.S. over support for fight against terrorism

Japan offers $4.5b to assist IDPs
The Federal Government yesterday commended United States (U.S.) for its supporting role in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, made the commendation in Abuja, when he received the U.S. Permanent Representative and member of Obama’s cabinet, Ambassador Samathan Power and her delegation.

Onyema said, “I will like to express on behalf of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria, our profound gratitude to your government for a very strong solidarity that you have shown to us in this struggle and in all aspect in the military intelligence, humanitarian gestures.Your visit is a demonstration of the support that you stand by our neighbouring countries and us.

“We thank you for coming to see the problem and the challenges we face in this regard,” adding, “It is a privilege to welcome Ambassador and U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations.”

Meanwhile, Japan has extended a grant of $4.5 million (N1.4 billion) to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to assist victims of the crisis in the north-eastern part of the country.

This is contained in a statement by Mr. John Chukwuma Nwankwo, Senior Assistant/Advisor on General Affairs, Information & Culture of the Japanese Embassy in Abuja yesterday.

According to Nwankwo, the funding is expected to provide life-saving emergency work to assists people affected and displaced by the conflict.
“The grant will cover assistance in the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities; health, nutrition and child protection services and education.

“It will focus primarily on assistance for children, with special attention given to populations trying to return to where they lived before they were forced to flee the violence.

“The seven years of conflict in northeast Nigeria, especially in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, have caused massive human suffering, with children and women bearing the brunt of the difficulties,” it stated.

The statement quoted, Ms. Jean Gough, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria as saying that “the people of Japan are strong supporters of UNICEF’s work to help children and women.”

Onyema recalled that President Buhari was in the US for a Nuclear Summit and the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, which took place simultaneously.According to him, that it was a sign of both countries’ commitment to each other.

In her remarks, Ambassador Samantha Power, said her visit was focused on security, economy and good governance.While commending Nigeria for the success of the conference held in the US, she noted that Nigerian civil society was one of the most vibrant in the world and consequently charged them to continue their good work.