Nigerian Government Accepts US Proposal on Security

Nigerian Inspector General of the National Police Hafiz Ringim has come under scrutiny in the aftermath of the bombing of the headquarters in Abuja. At least two people were reported killed in the blast that destroyed over 80 vehicles., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Govt accepts U.S. proposal on security

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 00:00 From Laolu Akande (New York) and Joke Akanmu (Abuja)
Nigerian Guardian

Bishop of Canterbury worries over Boko Haram

AS part of its resolve to confront Boko Haram terrorism and security challenges in the country and the West African region, the Federal Government has accepted a proposal by the United States (U.S.) to create a new focus on security as a different agenda under the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC), initiated just less than two year ago.

And under the new security focus, top military chiefs from the U.S. will join the resumption of the BNC talks between the U.S. and Nigeria starting next week in Abuja.

This disclosure was made yesterday by the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, during a meeting with U.S. business investors and private sector executives under the platform of the influential Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), in Washington DC on recent developments in Nigeria, especially Boko Haram attacks and the petrol subsidy crisis.

Said he: “The United States government has proposed that the Niger-Delta and Regional Security component of the Commission be split into separate entities and the first meeting on Regional Security should hold immediately on 23rd and 24th of January. We have agreed to this proposal.”

When Nigeria and the U.S. signed the BNC agreement in April 6, 2010, four areas of focus were agreed including governance and transparency, Niger Delta - where security featured partly, energy reforms and agriculture. The fifth dimension now is security.

Adefuye added that while Nigeria is open to international assistance on the issue of Boko Haram because of its international dimension and the global condemnation of terrorism, “we are receiving adequate support and assistance from our international friends without compromising our independence and freedom of action.”

He said it was the U.S. government, which offered to make the issue of security a distinct focus of the BNC instead of being just a part of the Niger Delta focus of the commission.

Explaining that with Nigeria’s consent on that U.S. government proposal, top military chiefs from the U.S. would be joining in a BNC meeting next week in Abuja, which will be the Commission’s first meeting on regional security, adding: “I will be travelling to Nigeria tomorrow to take part in the first annual review of the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission.”

Last week, Adefuye met with the workers of the U.S. State Department Bureau on African Affairs to explain the petrol subsidy crisis and the Boko Haram attacks, reviewing Federal Government’s response. Similarly last week, he also met with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC on the same subject as Nigeria made global news, raising concerns and questions on the state of the nation because of the petrol crisis and Boko Haram.

His meeting yesterday with U.S. business leaders and investors who have interests in Nigeria was also called to reassure the American private sector that Nigeria is very much safe for investors.

Addressing the Corporate Council on Africa yesterday, Adefuye said: “I want to assure you that our security services are very well equipped and are of sufficient competence to deal and contain the dangers posed by Boko Haram.”

In a related development, the Arch Bishop of Canterbury and Head of the Anglican Church Worldwide, the Very Rev. Rowan Williams, has expressed worry over incessant killings, especially of Christians, by members of the Boko Haram group. He urged Christian faithful in the country to renew their faith in Christ.

Williams, who spoke while presenting a letter of condolence to the Primate Church of Nigerian (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd Nicholas Okoh in Abuja, pledged to table the issue before the British authorities for necessary assistance, and condemned in totality, the recent attack on Christians by the sect.

The letter, which was delivered by a member of the British House of Lords and Bishop of Durman, Rt. Rev. Justin Webly, who is in Nigeria to condole with Christians, read thus: “The news of the ongoing attacks by Boko Haram continue to be very disturbing. We have heard from the Bishop of Damaturu via the Bishop of Herefold how many Christians have fled the city in fear of their lives.

“We are continuing to raise these issues with the government here in the UK and support the position of those who are living in fear of the ongoing violence,” he said.

Welcoming the Archbishop of Canterbury’s emissary, the Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, stressed that Nigerians are not ready for any strife on religious lines. “Christians and Muslims are very ready to live together,” he said.