- Says government committed to helping victims of terrorism rebuild their lives and communities
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has deplored the continuing terrorist assault on Kano and the heinous bombing of the Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies today.
He similarly deplores the attacks on two mosques in Potiskum, Yobe State yesterday.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, says Jonathan condemns the repeated targeting of worshippers, and innocent students who are the nation’s future by depraved terrorists.
“He believes that the callous attacks on soft targets fully affirm that the terrorists’ are nothing but bloodthirsty adherents of a warped and retrogressive ideology,” the statement reads.
According to the President “No amount of intimidation and violence would stampede the government into abandoning its goal of giving education a new lease of life and opening up access to all young Nigerians who wish to improve themselves.”
Jonathan has therefore directed the Armed Forces, Police and other national security agencies to further enhance security around educational facilities in states prone to terrorist attacks.
Also on Wednesday in Abuja, Jonathan said he expected members of Nigerian’s vibrant private sector and friends of the country in the international community to donate very generously to the Victims’ Support which will be formally launched on Thursday to provide more relief and succour for all those who have been adversely affected by terrorism and insurgency in the country.
Speaking at separate audiences with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, and the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, the President said that he hoped that over a 12-month period, about $500 Million would have been raised through the fund to further alleviate the sufferings and deprivations imposed on Nigerians living in states worst affected by terrorist attacks.
The President who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to doing all within its powers to help victims of insurgency and terrorism rebuild their lives and communities, said that the fund, which will be managed by a non-governmental organisation, will also be deployed in support of the rebuilding of destroyed schools and the creation of a safer environment for education in affected states.
Welcoming the pledges of support from the Commonwealth and UNFPA, made by Mr. Sharma and Prof. Osotimehin, President Jonathan said that his administration appreciated the solidarity of the International Community as it grapples with the challenging task of overcoming the twin scourges of terrorism and insurgency.
