Girls Abduction Will End Terrorism In Nigeria-Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday expressed  optimism that the

abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno, would be the end to

terror in the country.
The President said this at the opening plenary of the World Economic Forum

on Africa holding in Abuja.
Jonathan, who said that Nigeria was proud to host the event for the first

time it was coming to West Africa, thanked participants for coming at a

time Nigeria was facing terror attacks.
Jonathan thanked China, the U.S., United Kingdom and France who

volunteered to assist Nigeria in the rescue efforts of the girls and in

fighting the terrorists
“Let me specially thank all of you for accepting to come. Especially this

time that as a nation we are facing attacks from terrorists.

“Let me appreciate you individually and collectively for your support and

your sentiment.
“In fact by your presence here in Nigeria at this time, you have already

supported us to win the war.
“If you have refused to come because of fear, the terrorists would have

jubilated and even have committed more havoc.
“Your coming here to support us morally is a major blow on the terrorists

and by God's grace we will conquer the terrorists.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank the other countries who have

volunteered to help us in terms of rescuing the abducted girls. The

government of China has promised to assist us and I believe that

assistance will come almost immediately.
“U.S., UK and France have also spoken to me and expressed their commitment

to assist us.
“I believe that the kidnapping of these girls will be the beginnig of end

to terror in Nigeria,” he said.
The President said that the theme of the Forum, “Creating Jobs and

inclusive Growth”, was critical to Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

He said that job creation was a global challenge and nearly all countries

of the world,of class and position, faced the problem of unemployment.

Jonathan noted that the unemployment problem in Africa was compounded by

its youthful population.
He, therefore, tasked African leaders to place utmost priority on

employment creation to forestall damning prediction of additional 122

million unemployed workforce by 2020.
President Jonathan said that wealth  creation had been the main focus of

his administration's transformation agenda through mobilisation and

diversification of the economy.
He also said that his government recognised that the private sector must

be the agent of growth and job creation and it was, therefore, putting in

place programmes to support the sector.
Jonathan said that the Nigerian economy had grown rapidly at about seven

per cent in the last 10 years and the country was now the largest economy

in Africa and 26th in the world.
He, however, said the robust economy was yet to translate into jobs

creation and  government was working hard to create job for people.

Specifically, Jonathan said government was focussing on specific sectors

which has high job creation potentials such as agriculture, manufacturing,

housing, construction and the servicing sectors.
Jonathan said that government was also giving priority attention to small

and medium scale enterprises to create sustainable jobs.

Chinese Premier, Li Kequang, in a remark, said that Africa was a continent

on the rise with 54 united countries, over two trillion  dollars economic

aggregate in 2013 and having seven out of the 10 fastest growing economies

in the world.
He promised that China would continue to support the much needed

infrastructural development in African countries without  interference in

their internal democracies and governance.
Kequang noted that the economy of China and Africa was complimentary

because while Africa had practical need for infrastructural and rural

development   China had surplus in investments, construction and

production.
He said  China would increase its investment financing in Africa from 10

billion dollars,  create a 30 billon-dollar credit facilities and provide

an additional two billion dollars to China- Africa Development fund to

bring it to five billion dollars.
Kequang also said that China would grant 18,000 scholarships in support of

African Talent Plan and train 30,000 African professionals. (NAN)