Buhari receives António Guterres, discuss insurgency. global support

05 May Buhari receives António Guterres, discuss insurgency. global support

President Muhammadu Buhari told visiting  António Guterres, United Nations secretary-general yesterday that steps taken by Nigeria to address insurgency have made great impact.

According to a statement by Spokesman Femi Adesina, Buhari said this on Wednesday while receiving, at the presidential villa in Abuja.

The president also said while there are concerns that the attention on the Russia-Ukraine war could affect the focus on other issues, insurgency remains a threat to global peace, security and progress.

He, however, said the visit of the secretary-general had clearly shown that “the world has not forgotten us”.

“When we assumed office, the north-east was the major security problem we inherited in 2015, but we have been able to make people understand that you cannot kill people and shout Allahu Akbar (God is great!); it is either you don’t know what you are saying or you are simply stupid,” he said.

“God is a God of justice, so you cannot kill people and say ‘God is great’. Luckily, the people understood our message and it has made great impact.”

The president told Guterres that the government had started a gradual, but steady process of resettlement and reintegration, in which displaced citizens are encouraged to return to their homes.

In his remarks, the secretary-general, who had visited Borno state on Tuesday, said what he saw during his visit was a departure from the pictures of hopelessness and despair painted, adding that “people exuded hope”.

“Yesterday, I visited Maiduguri where the United Nations is supporting the internally displaced. I was deeply moved by their stories and struggles,” he said.

“These include the struggles with hunger, with the world food programme projecting 4.1 million people in the north-east of Nigeria to be food insecure in the upcoming lean season.

“But despite all they have seen and endured, the people I met remain hopeful and committed to returning to their communities and resuming their lives. To that end, I welcome the establishment of the presidential committee on the repatriation, returns and resettlement of displaced persons in the north-east.”

…Perpetrators Of Terrorism Must Be Held Accountable – Guterres

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has said that perpetrators of terrorism in the country must be held accountable.

This was even as Guterres said the United Nations is adopting a victim-centred approach to tackle the menace of terrorism in the country.

Guterres spoke after laying a wreath in honour of the victims of August 26, 2011, Boko Haram attack at the United Nations House in Abuja, which led to the killing of 23 United Nations staff and civilians and leaving 16 others injured.

He said: “On that tragic day (August 26, 2011), an appalling terrorist attack on the UN House left 23 UN employees and civilians dead and 16 injured. Those staff members, who lost their lives are heroes who proudly served Nigerians through the UN organisations.

“We encourage all Nigerians, who have endured similar violence in their own communities. In our victim-centred approach, perpetrators must be held accountable. We remain steadfast in our commitment for a peaceful Nigeria and for all people.”

The UN Chief, however, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its support in rebuilding the United Nations House which enabled the staff to return.

Guterres also held series of meetings with members of the diplomatic corps, religious leaders, civil society organisations, women groups, people living with disabilities, among others.