By Emmanuel Nduka
Outgoing United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon has informed that close to 11 million Nigerians are in need of humanitarian assistance.
The UN Envoy also recalled that the 2020 Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria as the third most terrorised country behind Afghanistan and Iraq in global terrorism, another worrying statistics for the current administration.
Mr Kallon who made this disclosure during a farewell visit to Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi at the weekend, will be leaving Nigeria after a successful five-year tenure.
He noted that the herders/farmers crisis in the North-central, Boko Haram in the North-east and North-west, Niger Delta Avengers, and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) security challenges have led to large scale migrations and a surge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the country.
Kallon stated that Nigeria is at 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 must be entrenched for the benefit of the country.
He further identified women and youth participation in politics and productive economic activities to reduce youth unemployment and under-employment which according to him, is a time bomb that must be dealt with decisively.
Responding, Mr Ortom, renewed his calls for the convocation of a National Security Summit to discuss growing security challenges confronting the country.
The Governor said he was happy with the state-of-the-nation report presented by the representative of the United Nations and asked that same should be presented to the Presidency for prompt action, adding that he had also 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.
While reassuring the resolve of his administration to sustain youth and women participation in governance, Ortom said Kallon, who is an honorary citizen of Benue State, would be greatly missed by the people of the state.
