President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said the renewed violence in the Niger Delta would not stop his administration from engaging with interest groups from the region in finding solutions to the challenges facing the area.
Buhari spoke during the breaking of Ramadan fast with members of the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“No amount of militancy shall distract us from engaging with the region,” the President told his guests.
While regretting the renewed militancy, Buharj assured his guests that his administration was doing everything possible to address their concerns.
He identified some of the critical areas receiving his government’s attention to include the issue of unemployment, poor infrastructure and ecological problems.
Buhari again called on the international community to assist his government repatriate looted funds stashed in their countries.
This, he added, would also assist his administration to successfully prosecute the looters.
The President also said that the Federal Government was not relenting in its efforts to ensure the release of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in their school in Chibok, Borno States in 2014.
He said, “I assure you that we will remain firm in our determination to completely eliminate the terrorist group and shall continue to count on the support of the international community as clearly demonstrated during the recently held Regional Security Summit.
“We are not letting off our efforts to secure the release of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls.
“We are living daily with the pains of the forcible abduction of these schoolgirls.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps who is also the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahima, thanked the President for hosting the diplomatic corps, the second time in the year.
He pledged his support and that of his colleagues to Nigeria.
He said, “We wish for eternal peace for Nigeria and may your efforts in the shortest time bring prosperity to our people.
“Be reassured that the international community will continue to provide the necessary support.”
