Eight (8) years after the bombing of the United Nations (UN) House in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari has handed over the rebuilt edifice to the UN, reiterating the Nation’s resolve to stand firm in the face of any act of terrorism.
The President restated the resolve at the commissioning of the rebuilt UN house and the commemoration of the 2019 UN Day.
Represented by the Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, President Buhari stressed that the efforts of the UN over the years in confronting global issues such as international conflicts, health and humanitarian matters, climate change and environmental degradation, have continued to yield positive results around the world.
This, the President said, has lent credence to the opinion that the UN has made the world a much better place.
Bello congratulates the global body on the celebration of the 2019 UN Day.
He pledged the country’s commitment to serving as a good host to the UN family and encouraged the staff to build bonds of friendship with locals that will help strengthen the growing sense of a loving community outside the UN environment.
In his welcome remarks, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, commended the President and people of Nigeria for the unwavering support for the UN and commitment to the rebuilding of the bombed UN house.
He noted that the rebuilding of the house was a demonstration of Nigeria’s resolve to tackle terrorism and refusal to be bowed by it.
Kallon said that the UN humanitarian work in the North East still remains a priority and expressed the hope for more synergy with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), especially with the creation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Services.
Other speakers at the event commended the Nigerian government for the rebuilding of the UN house as well as her unflinching support for multilateralism.
The highpoint of the event was the laying of a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives during the August 26th, 2011 bombing of the UN House and cutting of the ribbon to commission the rebuilt UN building.