US Govt to Assist Nigeria in Fight against Insurgency, Says Envoy

Daji Sani in Yola

The US Ambassador to United Nations, Samantha Power has disclosed that the American Government has agreed to partner the Nigerian government to clear the remaining insurgency bedeviling North-east Nigeria, Chad Basin and Cameroon.
She said the reason was because the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has prioritised the fight against insurgency and corruption which is like cancer that has been eating up the country’s economy and denying development.

Power, who was speaking at a press conference convened at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa state yesterday, said the American government has agreed to train and retrain the Nigeria military so as bring it back to how it used to be.

She said President Buhari is working assiduously to bring back the lost glory of the Nigerian military which used to be known for its performance and vibrancy, adding that the American government is trying to help Nigeria not only in the area of training but to increase its humanitarian support, especially to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
While answering a question that a lot of supports sent to the IDPs were allegedly diverted by some Nigerians, Power said the US government would monitor any support given so that the right persons get it.

She said the reason for diverting supports given or relief materials was because of corruption, adding that if corruption can be properly dealt with, it would minimise the attitude of diverting supports for the IDP.
Power who visited the Malkohi IDP Camps while interacting with IDPs said it was President Barack Obama that sent her with high delegation to come to the areas bedeviled by the Boko Haram insurgency and highlight the growing effects posed by the insurgency.

She promised that very soon the IDPs would return to their native homes, adding the US government has collaborated with Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency in North-eastern Nigeria.
“It is President Obama that sent me with this high-powered American delegation to come to you and very soon you will return your homes”, she added.

While sympathising and empathising with the IDPs, she appreciated the generosity of Nigerian who were able to host some of the IDPs in their houses, adding that all hands must be on deck so assist these people displaced.

However while conducting the Ambassador around the Malkohi camp, the state coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sa’ad Bello told her that Nigeria was expecting about 70,000 refugees from Cameroon and would require assistance from both local and the international world to prepare the proposed site to host these IDPs.
In the same vein, the Ambassador also had a town hall meeting with the students of the AUN shortly before the press conference and encouraged them to be vanguard of peace.

While sharing her experience, she said in Michika town of Adamawa state, there are presently the issues of stereotype and serious problems. She said Michika used to have one market day before the attack of the insurgents, but presently Michika has two market days, one for the Muslims and another day for the Christians, which, to her, is a serious challenge to the areas.