Jonathan Thanks U.S, UK, China, others For Support Against Terrorism in Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the United Kingdom, France,

United States and China for indicating interest to help Nigeria to fight

terrorism and ensure stability in country.
Jonathan commended the four world super powers at the ongoing 24th World

Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria was the first

country to host the forum in West African with the theme `Forging

Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs.'
He said the presence of many participants at the forum indicated a sign

that the fight against terror would be won.
According to him, if the participants had refused to come, the terrorists

would have jubilated.
“Your coming here to support us morally is major blow on the terrorists

and by God's grace, we will conquer the terrorist.

“I appreciate other countries that have expressed their commitment to help

us especially in rescuing the girls abducted from one of our secondary

schools.
“The Premier of China has been with us for a state visit and the

Government of China has promised to help us, and we believe that this

assistance will come almost immediately.
“The governments of United States of America, the United Kingdom and

France have also spoken with me and have shown their commitment to resolve

this crisis in Nigeria.
“I believe that the kidnap of the girls will be the beginning and end of

terrorism in Nigeria'', he said.
On unemployment rate in the region, he said that efforts must be geared

towards ensuring that the rate was reduced in the region.

He said 75 million young people globally were unemployed, adding that

Africa's unemployment rate was at 20 per cent while that of Nigeria was 24

per cent.
He noted that African leaders must ensure that inclusive growth was

achieved through various innovations to create job for the youthful

population in the region.
“Job creation must be what should occupy the time of every African leader,

it is also one that keeps me awake at night'', he said.

He said that the ongoing transformation agenda of his administration had

focused on areas that would drive inclusive growth.

The President noted that the rebasing of the Nigerian economy, which had

made the country's economy largest in Africa, also opened opportunity to

improve many sectors.
The sectors, he said, included agriculture, services and entertainment,

among others, adding that the 2014 budget had been designed to create

jobs.
He noted that youths, through initiatives such as You Win, SURE-P and

Young Entrepreneurs, had been empowered and jobs equally created.

“We are engaging with the private sector to tackle infrastructure problems

and we are trying to change the mind set of our young people to understand

that after school, they do not need to depend on government jobs'', he

said.
On inequality, he said Nigeria was understudying the Brazilian social

safety net conditional cash transfer model to help change the lives of the

poor in the country.
He assured that his administration would continue to ensure that jobs were

created and poverty reduced in the country.
He urged other African leaders to think bold and high about their policies

to ensure that inclusive growth was witnessed in the region soon.

NAN reports that one Minuit Silence was observed for the support of the

effort to rescue the Chibok girls. (NAN)