In
this photo taken on September 15, 2016 women and children queue to enter one of
the Unicef nutrition clinics at the Muna makeshift camp which houses more than
16,000 IDPs (internaly displaced people) on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno
State, northeastern Nigeria. AFP PHOTO / STEFAN HEUNIS
Nigeria spent more than $2.6
billion in 2016 to address the humanitarian challenges caused by Boko Haram
terrorists, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, has said.
The Correspondent of the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olonisakin stated this at the meeting of
the ‘Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS’ in Washington, D.C.
“After over 2.6 billion dollars
was spent by the Nigerian Government to address humanitarian needs in 2016 –
more needs were seen when areas were recovered from Boko Haram.
“Many in this room joined
us in Oslo, Norway just last February to show support with Nigeria.
“Coalition is fundamental. We, therefore, commend Secretary Rex
Tillerson and President Donald Trump for remaining committed to fighting the
global enemy of us all – terrorism,” Olonisakin said.
The defence chief explained that Iraq’s story in the war against
ISIS was similar to Nigeria’s story in the fight against Boko Haram.
“This meeting, therefore, will further strengthen our collective
resolve and determination to destroy and defeat ISIS.
“To this end, Nigeria is prepared to work with the coalition in
the pursuit of the first lines of efforts towards the realisation of the aims
of the global coalition,” he said.
He commended the steady progress made in Iraq, and Syria in
denying ISIS access to territories and closing up their supply routes.
According to him, it is, therefore, imperative that as part of the
objectives of the meeting, global leaders consider the value of timely sharing
of information and best practices on addressing cross-border threats.
He also emphasised the need for mobilisation of resources for
partners in the conflict and confronting violent extremist organizations with
the digital battle space or cyberspace.
He added that reshaping the public narratives around ISIS to one
of failure, was also critical in the battle to defeat ISIS.
“Let me also add that this meeting is of great importance to
Nigeria.
“This is because, Nigeria’s effort to defeat the Boko Haram
terrorists is viewed as part of wider efforts to combat violent extremism
globally especially, the defeat of ISIS.
“Nigeria is open and willing to adopt strategies from the
coalition that could further enhance its success story,” Olonisakin said.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in his welcome remarks,
said “it is indeed encouraging to see the attendance”.
“When the forces of ISIS tune into their TVs and their computer
monitors, they will see the strength of a combined 68 nations and organisations.
“Together, we share a resolve to deal ISIS a lasting defeat. Our
coalition is united in stopping ISIS resurgence, halting its global ambitions
and discrediting its ideological narrative.
“And we’re ready to grow stronger and stay aggressive in this
battle.
“President Trump, in his recent address to the joint session of
Congress, made clear that it is the policy of the United States to demolish and
destroy this barbaric terrorist organisation”.
NAN reports that the meeting was attended by Ministers of Foreign
Affairs and senior leaders of the 68 countries of the global coalition working
to defeat ISIS.
NAN also reports that among those who attended the meeting were
Chargé d’affaires of the Nigeria Embassy in Washington, Hakeem Balogun and
senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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