The United Nations has advocated Regional and Global engagement to effectively fight the implications of cross border terrorism.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohamed Fall, disclosed this at the commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism at the UN House in Abuja.
Fall, who read the speech of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, called on all globally, to reflect on personal trauma and educate others as act of immense courage.
He said; “this day urges us to listen and to learn. And it is a reminder that we must always seek out the light of hope. Together, we can raise up the voices of all victims and survivors. Together, we can help educate present and future generations. Together, we can build more peaceful, resilient societies for all. Families and communities torn apart by terrorist acts are forever changed and the scars which are both visible, and invisible never fully healed.
“Through the torment and tragedy we have also witnessed remarkable examples of resilience and the enduring power of our common humanity. We pay tribute to all victims and survivors, including those who have chosen to share their stories about perseverance and forgiveness.”
Fall said regional response to curtail threats of terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin region through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) within framework of Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) has become more effective in the fights against terrorist organisation.
“I also commend government for recently hosting the Africa meeting on counter-terrorism. I am hopeful that outcomes of those discussions will go a long way to strengthen the fight against insurgency.The UN will continue to support Nigeria to deal with this menace of terrorism through our humanitarian work, promoting sustainable development to deal with some underlying causes of radicalisation.
“As well as, through our office on counter terrorism and UN agencies like UNODC, UNDP, UNESCO and others, provide technical and other supports,” Fall said.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu represented by the National Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Major.-General Adamu Laka, said the Nigerian government remained committed towards strengthening its efforts to counter terrorism, prevent tragedy and promote peace and security in the country.
Ribadu said; “We will also continue to work tirelessly in collaboration with our national and international partners to provide resources, emotional care, and legal protection, to ensure their dignity is restored and their recovery is supported.
“We will strengthen our efforts to counter-terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as we remain determined to prevent further tragedy and protect the peace and security of our nation.
“We pledge to continue working together, to do our bit in bringing relief and healing to them, and to take proactive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
The Executive-Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, underscored the need for a law to protect victims of terrorism.
Noting that the commission has championed the adoption of a policy for the protection of civilians and civilian harm mitigation during violence and conflicts.
Ojukwu said, “Though yet to be adopted by the Federal Executive Council, it is my hope that with supports of concerned partners, our dream at the commission to realise this objective can be achieved in a short while from now.
“By this programme we seek to attend to the hurt, grief, vulnerabilities and protection needs of victims of terrorism, restore them within limits of our resources using sustainable non-formal judicial processes and mechanisms.”
UNODC’s Project Coordinator, Counterterrorism Programming, Tom Parker and the Specialist, Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme, United Nations Office of Counterterrorism, UNOCT, New York, Ms. Jo Dover, both stressed that synergy is the fundamental step to assisting victims of terrorism.
The event with the theme: “Voices for Peace: Victims of terrorism as peace advocates and educators,” featured the laying of wreath and the official inauguration of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.
On the 26th August, 2011, the United Nations house in Nigeria was bombed leaving 23 staff members and some partners dead and while about 60 others were left with various degrees of injury.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
