Photos: FG hands over renovated UN building in Abuja eight years after Boko Haram bombing

The Nigerian Government has officially handed over the rebuilt United Nations (UN) House to UN members and assured them of its commitment to ensuring the security and protection of their lives and property.

President Muhammadu Buhari made the commitment at the 74th UN day celebration and official handover of the rebuilt UN House in Abuja on Thursday.

The Day has the theme: `The future we want, the UN we need’.

Represented by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, Buhari said that the Federal Government would ensure maximum protection of all UN institutions in the country.

According to him, the efforts of the UN in confronting global issues such as international conflicts through mediation and peace keeping, global battle against climate change and environmental degradation have continued to yield positive results around the world.

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres had said that the rebuilt UN House was a physical symbol of the close relationship between the UN and Nigeria.

Guterres, who was also represented by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr Mark Lowcock, said that the attack on the UN building in Aug. 2011 that led to the loss of 23 UN staff was an attack on the values and aspirations that the global body sought to uphold.

“The opening of UN House today is an act of defiance in the face of terror.

“We stand together to say that we will not be cowed by violence.

“We will continue to support the Nigerian people to fulfil their dreams of a future of prosperity and security.

“On behalf of Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General and the whole of the United Nations, I would like to pay tribute to the memory of 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,” he said.

He added that the reopening of the UN building was a demonstration of UN collective commitment to addressing the complex challenges facing Nigeria, West Africa, and the whole world.

He renewed the UN’s pledge to work together with the government and people of Nigeria toward a more prosperous future for all Nigerians.

According to Guterres, there are at least 150 million people across the world who have continued to rely on UN life-saving assistance and protection.

“In north-eastern Nigeria, humanitarian assistance is reaching 3.8 million people, providing life-saving food, shelter, and protection.

“On the average, 2.1 million people are receiving food assistance every month.

“More than 2.5 million people have benefitted from emergency health services since the beginning of the year,” he said.

Similarly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon said that the rehabilitation and handover of the edifice was a further demonstration of Nigeria’s resilience in combating terrorism.

At least 18 people were killed in an apparent suicide car bombing at the UN House on Aug. 26, 2011.

The powerful blast destroyed the lower floors of the building leaving dozens injured and some critically injured. A spokesman for Boko Haram claimed that it carried out the attack.

Kallon added that the rebuilding and furnishing of the UN House was also a clear indicator of the country’s commitment to multilateralism as a means of addressing global challenges.

He reiterated the commitment of the UN to supporting the government and people of Nigeria toward achieving Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The high point of the event was an exhibition by all UN agencies and laying of wreath in memory of victims of the 2011 bomb blast.

The UN Day is celebrated on Oct. 24 of every year.