ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Participants at the official handover of the UN House in Abuja, 24 October 2019. From left to right: Mr. Kyari Bukar, former Chairman of Nigeria Economic Summit Group; Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms. Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk; UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon; UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Mark Lowcock; and Mr. Isaiah Salifu Ecobank. (Photo Credit: OCHA)

Participants at the official handover of the UN House in Abuja, 24 October 2019. From left to right: Mr. Kyari Bukar, former Chairman of Nigeria Economic Summit Group; Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms. Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk; UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon; UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Mark Lowcock; and Mr. Isaiah Salifu Ecobank. (Photo Credit: OCHA)

UN reopens Abuja building eight years after Boko Haram bombing

byAbdulkareem Haruna
October 25, 2019
3 min read

The United Nations has reopened its building in Abuja, eight years after the property was destroyed in an attack by a Boko Haram suicide bomber.

The Nigerian government undertook the rebuilding of the property and handed it over to UN officials on Thursday.

On August 21, 2011, a car filled with explosives rammed into the building, setting off an explosion that killed 23 UN staff, including Nigerians, in the first suicide bomb attack in Nigeria.

Witnesses said the car ran through various gates leading to the UN main building as armed guards opened fire to stop it.

Days later, the then spokesperson of Boko Haram, Abu Kaka, who is believed to have been killed by the military, claimed credit for the attack on behalf of his group.

The bombing which levelled the lower floor of the facility, left 76 people injured.

Boko Haram’s Abu Kaka said in a teleconference with journalists that the attack was carried out to force the government to release the group’s detained members.

“The government must release all our members detained across the country unconditionally before we accept dialogue with the government,” said Mr Kaka who also used the same medium to “warn security agencies in Kano to stop persecuting” their members.

The then president, Goodluck Jonathan, described the attack as “the most despicable assault on the United Nation’s Objectives of global peace and security, and the sanctity of life to which Nigeria wholly subscribes.”

Read Also

COVID-19: Lagos police parade 237 residents arrested in nightclubs

Women in Agriculture: Finance, fertiliser my biggest challenges — Jigawa farmer

PREMIUM TIMES makes new appointments

The UN office in Abuja was bombed by Boko Haram in 2011
The UN office in Abuja was bombed by Boko Haram in 2011

The then UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, while condemning the attack said it was “an assault on those who devoted their lives to helping others.”

The Nigerian government decided to officially hand over the building eight years after it was attacked on the day the UN celebrated the International Day of the UN.

During the handover ceremony, Mark Lowcock, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said “the Nigerian Government handing over this building to the UN is a symbol of our shared commitment to continue supporting the people and Government of Nigeria.”

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

Mr. Lowcock who, represented the United Nations Secretary-General at the event recalled the day “23 people including UN staff and Nigerian civilians died in a suicide car bombing at the UN house in Abuja.

“This was the first attack against a UN facility in Nigeria; the building has since been rehabilitated by the Nigerian Government,” he said.

He said Nigeria has been a key actor since it became a member of the United Nations in 1960.

“Today’s reopening of the UN House in Abuja demonstrates our collective commitment to continue addressing the complex challenges facing Nigeria, West Africa, and the whole world,” said Mr. Lowcock who stood in for the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

The UN Undersecretary said the opening of UN House is an act of defiance in the face of such terror.

“We stand together to say that we will not be cowed by violence. We will continue to support the Nigerian people fulfil their dreams of a future of prosperity and security.

ADVERTISEMENT
Tribute to the Victims

Mr. Lowcock paid tribute to the 23 UN colleagues, contractors, and visitors who lost their lives that day, “and the many others who were injured.”

“Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts today are above all with the families and friends they left behind.

“Today, I want to dedicate this official handover of UN House to all those whose lives were irreversibly changed on that fateful day in 2011.

“Dayo, an OCHA driver who I spoke to yesterday, was only a few meters away from the explosion. He told me that he does not know how he survived the blast and he still has to undergo regular treatment.

“Baby Fesse was not even working for the UN. As a student, she had come to do some research and to visit her mother who was working here. Her life was forever changed when she lost her leg in the explosion.

“The UN House security guards who continue to devote their lives to protect others every day.

“And there are many others to whom we pay tribute today.

“This re-opening of UN House is one small way we can honor them. But today is not only about the past. Today we must also look to the future,” said Mr. Lowcock.

2019 United Nations Day and Official Handing over of Rebuilt UN House by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello in Abuja
2019 United Nations Day and Official Handing over of Rebuilt UN House by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello in Abuja (Photo Credit: Official FCDA on Twitter)

The handover ceremony was attended by officials of Nigerian government comprising, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Faruq; the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello; the Minister of Women Affairs, Paulin Tallen; former Chairman Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Kyari Bukar, among others.

During his two-day visit to Nigeria, Mr Lowcock had discussed the humanitarian situation in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (1)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

Fowler wants tax evaders jailed, says 40,000 eligible taxpayers defaulting

Next Post

Kogi governor hails Russia agreement on Ajaokuta Steel company

Abdulkareem Haruna

Abdulkareem Haruna

More News

Jim Lawson Maduike

Veteran actor, Jim Maduike, is dead

January 9, 2021
Premium Times News Nigeria

PREMIUM TIMES makes new appointments

January 9, 2021
Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter handle of FRSC]

FRSC makes NIN mandatory for vehicle registration

January 9, 2021
Donald Trump [Photo: BBC]

Nigeria’s ruling APC condemns U.S. crisis

January 9, 2021
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. [PHOTO CREDIT: @SanMalami]

COVID-19: Malami orders NDLEA to halt recruitment of 5,000 personnel

January 9, 2021
Donald Trump [PHOTO: FB Donald J. Trump]

Twitter suspends Trump’s account permanently

January 9, 2021
Next Post
Ajaokuta Steel plant

Kogi governor hails Russia agreement on Ajaokuta Steel company

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank




Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert

Heritage Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps Address Nationwide
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.