We’re doing all we can to battle B’Haram- Jonathan

 Trade and investment: 

President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that the Boko Haram insurgent sect is more than a domestic terrorist group that poses a threat to regional peace and security insisting that his administration is leaving no stone unturned to stop the violent sect, DigitalSENSE Business news reports. .

The president, who reiterated his administration’s effort to tackle the root causes of youth restiveness in Nigeria, said these at the US-African Leaders Summit in Washington DC amidst concerns over the growing incidents of piracy in the Horn of Africa and the gulf of Guinea.

“Nigeria is doing everything possible o combat Boko Haram and violent extremism. While we continue to enhance our intelligence and military capacities, we are at the same time, working on political solutions by engaging state governments and local communities. We are seeking economic solutions through various economic empowerment and job creation programmes. We are creating economic opportunities and addressing the root causes of youth restiveness.

“We are also building partnerships, both at the regional and international levels, to combat teh threat posed b terrorism in our sub-region. In this enterprise, we are pleased to acknowledge the supportive role of the United States.

“We are optimistic that continuing international support will help us rid our continent of te growing incident of terrorism.  We call for an effective international sanctions regime that would hold accountable any country, institutions and individual that financed terrorism in any part of the world”, he said.

In his words, piracy in the horn of Africa and the horn of Africa is undermining regional peace and the fragile security of African countries adding that the United States government resolve to enhance is partnership with Africa was reassuring.

“Across the region, piracy is dovetailing into other forms of organised crimes, including oil theft, hostage-taking, human and drug trafficking and proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons. Regional efforts to forge initiatives to counter these dangers have so far proved ineffective largely because these countries lack adequate and appropriate maritime surveillance and enforcement capabilities.

 “It is reassuring to have the US government pledge to enhance its partnership with Africa and o work with governments across the continent to address shared priorities. A large part of the task ahead would be t o expand economic opportunities and enlarge political space in our countries on the principles of popular participation, rule of law and respect of human rights”, he said.

Chukwudi Obi 

... Making SENSE of digital revolution!