Jonathan Inaugurates Insurgents’ Victim Funds Committee; Says Efforts against Terrors Will Persist

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, Politics Wednesday, July 16th, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has formally inaugurated insurgency’s Victims Support Fund Committee with assurance that no effort would be spared in bringing the individuals responsible for crimes against humanity to justice.

In his address at the inauguration, President Jonathan stressed that the insurgents would no more have hiding place, as drives to stop them would not abate.

While appreciating the support getting from foreign countries, he noted this has emboldened the troops in the war against raging attack by Boko Haram in the country.

President Jonathan who expressed passion for the families of insurgents’ victims called on Nigerians to stand together in support of security agencies against terrorism, adding that they were doing everything possible to end the attack, but regretted that success recorded did enjoy deserving media mention.

For the victims, the President affirmed they needed comfort and succor, noting that the lost lives could not be restored, but observed that the best that could be done was to extend out “our hands of fellowship to them and tell them we feel their pains and share in their sorrow”.

He therefore stated The Victim Support Fund Committee was part of the on-going efforts to provide a comprehensive solution to the menace.

The terrorism siege the Nigerian leader established was the most complex and challenging problems confronting the Nigerian government and others in different parts of the world, the reason why he said Federal government put together eminent Nigerians and tested technocrats to ensure that those who have suffered unjustly in the hands of terrorists could in little way be consoled.

The President also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and non-Nigerians, individuals and cooperate bodies to give generously to the Fund.

The committee’s task include provision of a framework through which all persons and institutions who wish to help mitigate the pains the victims were going through as well as mobilize collective efforts and resources in their support.

Other areas of the committee focus are: to identify sources and ways of raising sustainable funding to support victims of terror activities; to develop appropriate strategies for the fund raising; to ascertain the persons, communities, facilities and economic assets affected by terror activities; to assess and determine the appropriate support required in each case; to manage, disburse and administer support to the victims as appropriate; to address related challenges as may be appropriate and to advise Government on other matters necessary or incidental to support victims of terror activities.

The committee is headed by former Minister of Defense, General Theophilus Danjuma and has as members Messrs Fola Adeola, Wale Tinubu, Mrs Folorunso Alakija among others.