The U.S. Government has been urged to urgently
supply arms to the Nigerian military to effectively
fight Boko Haram terrorists.

The Chairman, House of Representatives
Committee on Civil Society and Donor Agencies,
Prof Ini Udoka, made the appeal in Abuja on
Monday.

He spoke during the signing of 9.2 million dollars
grant to 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in
Nigeria by the U.S. Government.

His remarks came against the backdrop of
Monday’s attack on a school in Potiskum, Yobe by
the Boko Haram sect, in which several students
were killed.

The legislator said it was worrisome that the U.S
Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle had been
credited as saying that the U.S may not be able to
sell arms to Nigeria.

According to Udoka, Entwistle was reported as
saying that this was due to alleged human rights
abuses by the Nigerian military.
"I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the
government of the United States to reconsider the
stance on the issue of insecurity in Nigeria.
"This morning, we received very sad news that
many students of Comprehensive School in
Potiskum have been slaughtered by a suicide
bomber during the morning devotion.
"We know that the assistance of the U.S. in
combating insurgency in Nigeria would help us to
a large extent to curb some of these atrocities.’’
The lawmaker thanked the U.S. government for the
grant to civil society groups and challenged the
grantees to live up to expectations reposed in
them.

He, however, advised that in undertaking the
assignment, civil society groups must avoid
partisanship in their conducts and actions.
"My attention has been drawn to the fact that
some consider advocacy for good governance to
mean disparaging government and aligning with
political opposition.
"Your ability to exercise independence of thought,
conditioned by international best practices, should
engage your advocacy to government personalities
and institutions to ensure that expected reforms
are undertaken in the country.’’
In a swift reaction, Entwistle said the report in
some sections of the media was fabricated.
"The comments he (Udoka) was referring to was at
a press conference I gave in Adamawa.
"I didn’t say what was attributed to me; those
comments came from an article in the Guardian
newspapers which was a complete fabrication.
"We have asked them to retract and they have not.
"We have put out op-ed in almost every
newspaper explaining what I actually said, which I
think the Chairman (House Committee on Civil
Society) didn’t have time to read.
"We have made it clear that my government stands
firmly with the Nigerian government in the fight
against terror and in the fight against Boko
Haram’’, Entwistle said.

The envoy added that Nigeria and the U.S had "a
rich military and security relationship’’ and
reiterated U.S. commitment "to the non-military
aspect of the struggle.
"We are committed to helping the Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs), we are committed to
working with your government to ensure that those
displaced by this conflict were not
disenfranchised.’’

On the grant, the U.S envoy challenged the
recipients to partner with government at all levels
to improve the rule of law, reduce corruption and
strengthen health and education.

He urged CSOs in Nigeria to set the agenda and
advocate issues that politicians need to address in
their manifestos in the build up to the 2015 general
elections.

The envoy appealed to Nigerians to denounce
violence before, during and after elections.
He underscored the key role of CSOs in ensuring
political, economic and development success in
Nigeria.
He cited the role civil societies played in ending
apartheid in South Africa and abolition of slavery in
the U.S.

Also, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of
Education, asked government officials to stop
seeing CSOs as irritants.
Ezekwesili advised civil society groups not to
relent in demanding good governance and
accountability from the government and those in
public positions.

"CSOs in this country must be determined to keep
everybody that holds public position on their toes.
"The U.S functions in its democracy because of the
power of civil societies; it makes the biggest of
difference.

"No matter what laws and agencies you create,
until you get effective demand and scrutiny,
demand for accountability in the performance of
those agencies, they will not transform into
institutions’’, she said.

The grant to 15 Nigerian CSOs was awarded under
the US Agency for International Development’s
(USAID) "Strengthening Advocacy and Civic
Engagement Project.’’

According to USAID, the grant will support the
CSOs’ efforts to promote democratic reforms
through greater transparency, accountability and
good governance.

Some of the projects will focus on public finance
management, local governance reform, youth
empowerment and advocacy, among others. (NAN)

source:AIT website