President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the international community not to further delay or down-play the need for humanitarian intervention in Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad Basin. He was speaking Friday at a high-level event on “The Humanitarian Crisis in the Lake Chad Basin: A Turning Point,” in New York, on the margins of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The event was jointly-sponsored by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the African Union, the European Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Buhari stated: “It’s time for collective global action to invest in the people of Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad Basin region. We’re renewing the call for re-dedicated international action to end the humanitarian needs of victims and address the root causes of terrorism itself.
According to him, “The Government of Nigeria is not overwhelmed by the enormity of this humanitarian challenge. Rather, we remain resolute in defeating terrorism in all its forms. We have put in place a robust people-driven counter-terrorism strategy built on a combination of revamped security operations and a human rights-based approach to help bring about rehabilitation, reintegration and reconstruction.
On the missing Chibok schoolgirls, he said the unfortunate incident had remained in “our national consciousness.” He said his administration was working hard to ensure the release of all Nigerians held captive by Boko Haram, including the Chibok girls, assuring that “We’re ready to ensure their swift rehabilitation, reintegration and the continuation of their studies once returned to their families.”
“Nigeria thus, reiterates its call for stronger international action and support for the implementation of the Lake Chad Development Resilience Action Plan.”
