UK supports North-East region with £200m

The United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson and International Development Secretary, Priti Patel, have announced the donation of 200 million pounds to indigenes of the North-East region of Nigeria.

Johnson made the announcement in a statement when the secretaries visited Borno State on Wednesday, to see how the UK could lead international response to the humanitarian crisis in the North-East.

He said the visit was aimed at assisting indigenes of the North-East avert famine, build stability and security after the destruction caused by Boko Haram in the region.

Johnson said the UK’s response in the region would include both security and humanitarian efforts.

He said both secretaries saw first-hand how British military had been providing training to Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram on the frontline.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that 200 million pounds support was an allocation of Department for International Development’s (DFID) budget for four years, from 2018 till 2022.

Patel had announced that the programme was built on the UK’s existing 100 million pounds of humanitarian support for 2017.

He also stressed the fact that the donation and the dedication of the UK government would serve as a lifeline to over 1.5 million people in the region.

According to the statement, UK’s increased support was expected to extend the DFID humanitarian programme in Nigeria over five years.

Also, Johnson and Patel, on Thursday, met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in continuation of their official visit to Nigeria.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Johnson said the United Kingdom was ready to assist Nigeria in humanitarian, development and military fronts.

He described Nigeria as an “incredible country and power house of the African economy.

“This is an incredible place. It is the power house of the African economy. We are with Nigeria every step of the way,” he said.

The envoy said the delegation had fruitful meeting with Osinbajo and looked forward to better relationship with Nigeria.

Patel said she was satisfied with the outcome of the meetings the delegation held with the vice president and other Nigerian officials for the two days.

She said the United Kingdom always viewed Nigeria as a partner.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the government and the strength of the United Kingdom relationship with Nigeria on all aspects, including the diversification and development going on in the country.”

Patel said the meeting with the ministers focused on the future and the strengthening of the relationship between the two countries.

She added that the interaction was to put forward the incentives to help create the right environment for investments, especially British investment in Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said the meeting covered the three priority areas of the government: security, fight against corruption and the economy.

“They have been here and Maiduguri. The UK is partnering us in facing our security challenges and global threats by terrorists.

“And of course, UK is engaged with us in the anti-corruption crusade that we embarked upon and very importantly also with regards to the economy,” Onyeama said.

Also, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, said the administration was happy to receive the UK top officials.