The outgoing representative of the United Nations secretary-general in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, has said that about 11million Nigerians are presently in need of humanitarian assistance.
He also said the 2020 Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria 3rd behind Afghanistan and Iraq as countries worst affected by global terrorism.
Kallon spoke when he paid the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom a farewell visit at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital.
A press release made available by the governor’s spokesman, Nathaniel Ikyur, indicated that Kallon would be leaving Nigeria after a successful five-year tenure.
The UN diplomat noted that the herders-farmers crisis in the North-Central, Boko Haram in the North-East and North-West, Niger Delta Avengers and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had led to large scale migration and mass stay in internally displaced persons camps across the country.
He added that Nigeria was at a crossroads with multiple challenges, which had implications on peace, development and stability in West Africa, Africa and beyond, pointing out that cohesion, justice and the rule of law must be entrenched for the benefit of the country.
On his part, the governor renewed calls for the convocation of a national security summit to discuss growing security challenges confronting the country.
Ortom said he was happy that the state of the nation report was presented by the representative of the UN and asked that the same should be presented to the Presidency for action.
