. As country ranks third on Global Terrorism Index
Victor Uzoho
The outgoing United Nations (UN) Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, has said close to 11 million Nigerians need humanitarian assistance.
Kallon spoke on Saturday during a farewell visit to the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, in Makurdi, the state capital to mark the end of his five-year tenure in Nigeria.
He disclosed that the 2020 Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria 3rd, behind Afghanistan and Iraq, in global terrorism rating.
Also, he said issues of the herders-farmers crisis in the North Central, activities of Boko Haram in the North East and North West, Niger Delta Avengers, and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have led to large scale migration and habitation in Internally Displaced Persons camps across the country.
According to the diplomat, Nigeria is at a crossroads with multiple challenges which have implications on peace, development and stability in West Africa, Africa and beyond, stressing that cohesion, justice and the rule of law should be entrenched for the good of the country.
He, however, called for women and youth participation in politics and productive economic activities to reduce youth unemployment and underemployment, which at the moment is a time bomb that must be dealt with decisively.
“I am happy the world has been well informed about the atrocities in Benue and elsewhere in the country,” he added.
Remarking, Governor Ortom called for a National Security Summit, noting that he was happy the report on the state of the nation was presented by a representative of the United Nations, and urged that the same should be presented to the Presidency for action.
Meanwhile, he said he had made similar presentations and personally written to the federal government, through press statements and conferences, expressing worry that no place in Nigeria is safe at the moment.
Nigeria is at a crossroads with multiple challenges which have implications on peace, development and stability in West Africa, Africa and beyond.
