President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon to assist Nigeria in negotiating the release of Chibok Girls abducted by Boko Hara from their school in Borno State.
According to Special Adviser to the President Media and Publicity Femi Adesina the President stated this during a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe at the sidelines of the ongoing 71st UN General Assembly in New York as a show of commitment to swapping the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok with Boko Haram fighters in custody
President Buhari said the Nigerian government was willing to bend over backwards, to get the Chibok girls released from captivity. “The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of Boko Haram to discuss with,” the President said, adding that, “The split in the insurgent group is not helping matters. Government had reached out, ready to negotiate, but it became difficult to identify credible leaders. We will welcome intermediaries such as UN outfits, to step in” Buhari quoted.
Adesina said the President reiterated that the teachings of Boko Haram were far from being Islamic, as neither Islam, nor any other religion, advocates hurting the weak and innocent. “The fact that they kill men, women, children, and other people wantonly, and shout Allahu Akbar (God is great) shows that they do not know that Allah at all. If they did, they would not shed innocent blood” President Buhari said.
Adesina said the President thanked Ban Ki-moon for the moral and material support given to Nigeria, which has enabled the country surmount many of the challenges facing her.
The UN Secretary General congratulated President Buhari on the anti-corruption war. “You are highly respected by world leaders, including myself. Your persona has given your country a positive image” Ban Ki-moon said.
He said the UN recognized the achievements of the Buhari administration against Boko Haram, urging that human rights be upheld always, to prevent a repeat of the scenario being witnessed in Syria.
Ban Ki-moon also thanked the Nigerian leader for his commitment to issues on climate change, adding that the government should “own the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” for the good of its citizens.
