President Bola Tinubu has solicited the support of the United Nations in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism in light of its ripple effect on global peace, displacements of people, and rising poverty.
He made the appeal at an audience with the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism, Mr Vladimir Voronkov, at the State House on Thursday.
The President noted that terrorism had consistently reversed the gains in development and increased instability in families and communities.
He said that the UN needed to be more consistent in dealing with it in the developing world context.
“We appreciate all that you have been doing. We know that in the face of many demands and challenges, you can still do much better,” Ngelale, quoted Tinubu as saying.
“We can score you ‘A’ in collaboration but ‘B’ in physical support. You have to do more because terrorism is an effective danger to democracy; terrorism is also an effective danger to development.
“Growth and prosperity cannot be achieved until we banish terrorism. We have to equally look at other sides of the issue, and I have said it is the where, how, and when of terrorism.”
Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar said poverty and injustice are some of the driving forces behind the insurgency.
“Nigeria continues to make significant investments in education and social security,” Tuggar said.
In his remarks, Voronkov said Nigeria already has a framework on prevention, mitigation, and reconciliation, while commending the efforts taken so far by the country in tackling terrorism.
“Of course, terrorism is part of the international agenda, and we had successful meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussing how to enrich our agenda on international terrorism response.
‘’I can only mention that politically, and from the point of view of capacity building on activities for counter-terrorism, Nigeria is one of the leading partners,” he added.
