16 Sep 2011
By Dele Ogbodo
 |
UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure |
He was a small boy, perhaps 10 years old. But when he mounted the stage to speak, for roughly one minute he moved the crowd to tears. His words were innocent but filled with a dirge that broke everybody’s heart.
The little boy, Master Omaego, was the son of Dr. Edward Dede who worked with World Health Organisation (WHO) as National Professional Officer, Routine Immunisation.
Dede was killed in the United Nations House blast carried out by a Boko Haram suicide bomber which claimed 23 lives. The UN held a memorial in honour of the victims yesterday, 11 of whom were its workers.
“When I woke up on that fateful morning, I didn’t know I would hear the news of the sudden death of my father. He left home cheerfully that day. No one had the feelings that he would never return. This is one thing in our lives that we never would like to happen. “Dad is somebody we cannot live without but with circumstances like these we have to let go and move on with life. However, I take courage and strength came into me when I remember the good life my father lived and the godly character my mother gave me. Today, I give thanks to God for everything,” he said.
He concluded: “On behalf of the bereaved families, I like to express our condolences to the entire World Health Organisation and UN families over the incident of the bomb blast that led to the death of our beloved and precious ones.” The UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, said the world body was reassessing Nigeria and other countries' security situations because of the implications of the August 26 bomb attack in Abuja. He stated that this had become imperative because of the rising attack on the body globally.
Ki-Moon, who was represented by the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure, said: “The government is investigating the attack, with the help from other countries that have the relevant expertise and capacities. The United Nations is reassessing security both in Nigeria and elsewhere, given the implications of what was the first attack of its kind on UN premises around the world has only increased in recent times.” While condemning the attack, Ki-Moon said it showed utter disregard for human life, adding: “It was an assault not just on our premises, but on our values and our work.”
Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum (NGF) and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, promised that all the governors had resolved to collectively support President Goodluck Jonathan and the security agencies in the fight against terrorism in the country.
In his remarks, President Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gbenga Ashiru, said: “It was a sad incident on the 26th of August, 2011 when evil-minded people attacked the very symbol of our collective peace unity and cooperation, the UN office complex here.
“It is an incident that must remain condemned by all men and women of goodwill. We are however consoled by the fact that there is no wound on us that heavens cannot heal.”
SOURCE: ThisDay Newspaper 16 September 2011. http://www.thisdaylive.com
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