Nigeria Should Prepare For Post Boko Haram – UN Analyst

An analyst with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, on Sunday in Abuja advised Nigeria to prepare for the post-insurgency rebuilding of the North East, destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Matthew Alao, a UN Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Analyst, told the News Agency of Nigeria that Nigeria was in the last phase of insurgency in the North East.

“We are getting into the last phase of insurgency in the North East.

“There is need for everybody to put hands on deck to ensure that the post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation and rehabilitation, are done inclusively,” he said.

Mr. Alao said efforts should be geared ensuring that the post-conflict reconstruction, reconciliation and re-integration, were done inclusively, particularly with regards to women.

He regretted that women were the worst-hit in the Boko Haram attacks, as many of them had lost their husbands and children.

“You will agree with me that women generally in this part of Nigeria (North East) may be excluded, maybe not deliberately, but culturally.

“They may be excluded from taking active part in the post-conflict phase; women need to be included in all aspects of the post-conflict phase of the insurgency.

“Be it socio-economic, infrastructure rebuilding, reconciliation, mediation, or any other programmes that either government or donors want to bring to the North East, women have to play critical role.

“I believe that the various state governments will include women in the decision-making, programme design and implementation.
“We, the development partners, will also ensure that in all aspects that we are intervening, women are carried along,” he said.

Mr. Alao pledged the continuous support of the UN to the Boko Haram victims, saying that in the past, the organisation had provided various forms of support to the victims.