Boko Haram: Japan donates $329,000 to Nigerian Army

In its efforts to support the Nigerian Army in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, the Japanese government has donated $329,000 to the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Center (MLAILPKC).

The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Yukata Kikuta disclosed this during the inauguration of the Institutional and Human Capacity Strengthening support for the centre held on Tuesday at Jaji, Kaduna State.

He said the fund will be used in updating of curricula on counter-terrorism, protection of civilians and prevention of irregular migration among others.

Kikuta said the Japanese government in partnership with United Nation Development Fund, (UNDP) supported the centre with money, following its achievements in the fight against terrorism and peace support operations.

Noting that adequate security is key to the development of a nation, said the “upsurge of criminalities and violence, like Boko Haram insurgency, has increased the necessity to build and strengthen the capacity of military and para-military forces in protection of civilians, local communities.”

The Ambassador who was represented by Mr Mathew Alao said the peacekeeping centre plays an essential role in delivering realistic training to provide the much-needed capacity and expertise in leadership and peace support operation.

Meanwhile, in his address, Commandant of the centre, Maj-Gen Abubakar Tarfa said the centre has over a long period enjoyed cordial relationship and assistance from the Japanese government.

According to him, “it might interest you to know that this laudable partnership has resulted in the training of over 500 beneficiaries in the courses listed above.

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He added these courses has no doubt enhanced participants knowledge and understanding of the principles and fundamental procedures involved the protection of civilian, civil-military coordination course, counterterrorism and prevention of irregular migration.

“Nigerian government and its armed forces will ever remain grateful for these kind gestures from the government of Japan.@

The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Khardiata Ndiaye said for a long time since 2010 when the Government of Japan and UNDP partnered and combined resources to implement the support to strengthen West Africa’s peace support operation training and institutional capacity at the National defence college, Nigeria project.

Ndiaye was represented by Fedrick Apiah, said, “we have continued to make visible landmark on the development paradigm.

“With the lunch of this project today, the government of Japan and UNDP Nigeria are implementing concurrently, two projects in the North East and here in Kaduna.”

He added in the past year of our development support to the government of Nigeria, we jointly responded to the dire needs of the displaced population in the northeast.

“Also, we have responded to the felt gaps in the humanitarian development nexus of the affected population through provision of agricultural inputs to farmers including women, reconstruction of destroyed public facilities.

“Such as schools, health care centres, markets, local government buildings and security facilities, as well as the provision of potable water through boreholes to thousands of the displaced population,” Ndiaye said.