The Federal Government on Wednesday urged the European Union to support Africa with a fraction of the resources allocated to the conflict in Ukraine to combat terrorism and stabilise the continent.
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, made the call at the Road to Schuman Forum on Security and Defence organized by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in collaboration with the European Union in Abuja.
This is as the minister decried the insecurity bedeviling many African nations amidst extreme poverty.
The Minister said, “We plead with you that the support given to Ukraine, if one per cent comes to Nigeria, the funding given to the military if just one per cent comes to Nigeria, we can assure you we will fight the banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
“The reality is that somehow we feel EU and other nations pay more attention to other worlds compared to instability and insecurity in our region.
“We are not fighting wars, what we have now is insecurity and terrorism and it can be addressed with very little resources,” he said.
The National Coordinator of NCTC, Major General Adamu Laka, echoed the call for collaborative efforts to address security threats, emphasising the importance of partnerships in enhancing national and regional security.
The leader of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Samuela Isopi, reiterated the significance of collective action in addressing security challenges.
She stressed the need for a tailored security and defense partnership between Nigeria and the EU in response to evolving global security dynamics.
“No one can afford to work in isolation,” she said.
The conference served as a precursor to the Schuman Security and Defence Forum slated for May 28 and 29, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, where Nigeria anticipates participation alongside 27 EU member states, 60 partner countries, and international organisations.
Since February 24, 2022, when Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine, escalating the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014, global aid to Ukraine has surged.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, commitments have reached a staggering 253 billion euros, as of January 15, translating to approximately $278 billion.
Recent reports by U.S. News highlight the United States as the leading contributor, pledging around $75 billion in aid to Ukraine. Following closely are Germany and the United Kingdom, making substantial commitments overall. Collectively, the European Union has pledged approximately $93 billion in assistance to Ukraine.
The nature of aid pledged varies significantly among contributing countries.
