IDPs: FG seeks Germany’s support towards rebuilding of N’ East

Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Khadija Buka Ibrahim, on Monday, called for the support of the Federal Republic of Germany towards the rebuilding of the northeast.

Ibrahim made the call when she received the German Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Michelle Müntefering, in her office, in Abuja.

Ibrahim recalled the Oslo conference where humanitarian concerns were raised especially over the Lake Chad Basin.

She said the Lake Chad Basin which inhabits about two million or more internally displaced persons and the need for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas that the internally displaced persons need to be relocated to, was of high point of interest to the visiting European Union member countries that visited Maiduguri two weeks ago.

“So, we are hoping that Germany will look into that area of rehabilitation and reconstruction of internally displaced persons as part of the ventures in the Lake Chad Basin Commission,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim further said the Federal Government is also highly concerned about the insecurity in the country, saying “although since the advent of this administration, the security crisis has improved tremendously.”

She further said most of the towns and villages have been liberated from terrorists, adding that terrorists have been relegated to the background.

“So, in collaboration of insecurity, we need intelligence sharing and also support from Germany in training and other aspects of security that concerns both country.

“In that area, we can actually have some kind of relationship which is very important to us because without security, there will be no investment and there will be no investors.

“We all want to feel safe, but with the present administration like I mentioned, it has improved tremendously.

“Today, you are sitting here in Africa, in Nigeria, in Abuja. For the first time, you have come to Africa and you are very happy that you have actually come to a secured environment. So, we need to partner on that,” Ibrahim added.

Speaking earlier, Müntefering said Nigeria and Germany have existing excellent relations, and expressed hope in furtherance to the ties.

She noted that both countries were close partners in stabilization efforts, saying that the Oslo conference sent out a clear message to support the people suffering of the situation in the Lake Chad region.

“The Oslo conference, last year, sent out a clear message to support the people suffering of the situation in the Lake Chad region and Nigeria and German foreign ministers, together with Chad, Cameroun, Niger, Norway and the UN, established the council to take place for the prevention and stabilization of the Lake Chad area,” Müntefering said.