The United Nations on Thursday reiterated its
readiness to support the Nigerian Government through Presidential Committee on
the North-East Initiative (PCNI) to combat nutrition and security challenges in
the crisis areas.
The UN
Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon, disclosed this during his
courtesy call on the PCNI Chairman, Retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, in Abuja.
Kallon observed that no
fewer than 14 million people in Nigeria were affected with 8.5 million
needing urgent assistance, saying that women and children were mostly affected.
He said this prompted
his visit to Danjuma so as to collaborate effectively with the Nigerian
Government to achieve tremendous success on humanitarian issues as it affects
crisis and displacement.
“ For a very long
time now, the Boko Haram menace has been in the back burner; it has
not been really in the international lime light.
“ What we have done is
to bring the World’s attention to the impact of this crisis in the North- East,
and to further emphasise that this has a wider implication than one could
expect.
“ This is not really a
Nigeria problem; it is a regional problem that is why we are very happy that
the international community has recognised this Boko Haram menace.
“ And they are ready to
support the Nigerian Government and the countries in the region to find lasting
solution to the problem,’’ he added.
In his remarks, the
Chairman, PCNI, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma Rtd., who was represented by his
deputy, Mr Tijjani Tumsah, commended the UN representative and his team for
their enormous support.
Danjuma said their
visit was very important, because the United Nations and the system under it,
is seeking to work in a closer collaboration with the PCNI.
He said that the
committee would continue to engage the UN system in order to proffer solutions
to the humanitarian development of the people in the North East.
The News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) reports that the mandate of the Presidential Committee on the
North-East Initiative (PCNI) is to coordinate the reconstruction of
the north-east ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency.
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