The Secretary-General of the United Nations, UN, Ban Ki-Moon, has commended the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari government “to address corruption, tackle insecurity and promote economic development” in Nigeria and pledged the UN’s continuing support to these efforts.
The Secretary General made these known Monday at a meeting with President Buhari, in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates where the leaders are attending the World Future Energy Forum.
Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and the President also discussed the serious security, human rights and humanitarian consequences of Boko Haram’s activities in Northeast Nigeria and in the Lake Chad Basin countries, with the Secretary-General noting the success of recent military efforts to combat the insurgents, while highlighting the need to address the root causes of the conflict.
Reiterating the United Nations’ support to Nigeria and the countries of the Lake Chad Basin in the prevention of violent extremism, the Secretary-General encouraged the Government to support his newly unveiled Plan of Action and join the global partnership to confront this issue. He also stressed the need for military operations to be conducted in full accordance with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.
The Secretary-General also discussed the devastating effect of climate change on Lake Chad, which has shrunk considerably in just three decades, and urged Nigeria to implement the Paris agreement.
