SAN FRANCISCO, August 21, (THEWILL) – The United States Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, has said that countering extremists within Nigeria requires the strengths that Nigeria has to offer.
Speaking at the end of the 9th U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission meeting which held in Abuja, Sherman listed the strengths of Nigeria needed to fight terrorism and extremism to include its talent and its federal character which, according to her, draws on the abilities of Nigerians from all regions, all sectors and all parts of the country, and its diversity that allows for approaching problems from multiple angles at the same time.
Sherman, who led the U.S. delegation to the meeting, according to a statement issued by the Public Affairs Section of the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, met with President Goodluck Jonathan and other ministers during her visit.
She called on the working group to meet the challenge of implementing the many concepts agreed upon, and turning them into concrete, realisable steps that the Nigerian people could experience and feel.
She specifically stressed the need to provide more training to the Nigerian military and other services of the Nigerian government to address the challenges it faces, particularly with the insurgency in the North and North-east.
The Under Secretary, according to the statement, also noted the inclusiveness of all voices in Nigerian society, Police, Intelligence, Military, Civil Society and State Government, in creating a comprehensive plan to deal with the Boko Haram challenge.
She also acknowledged the need for greater public diplomacy, “specifically the need to communicate that justice and accountability takes place, that training is ongoing, and that the many things that are happening on the ground, provide hope to people and reduce the recruitment of additional extremists.”
Sherman concluded by saying that the talents of all the people of Nigeria are needed to confront the issues before them and to seize the opportunities that exist to have a great and bright future as Nigeria becomes Africa’s most vibrant and largest economy in the coming years.
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