Bomb Blasts British Govt Pledges To Support FG

The British Government has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Federal Government in bringing the October 1 bombers in Abuja to justice.

The British Minister for Africa and the United Nations, Mr Henry Bellingham,, gave the pledge during a presentation on Nigeria by the All Parties Parliamentary Group (APPG) at the London Parliament.

The Tide correspondent who covered the event, quotes Bellingham as saying that the British Government would also cooperate with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism in any form.

“We will support the Nigerian Government to bring to justice the bombers of October1. We know what it is like, to be on the receiving end of terror attack,” he said.

The minister explained that Britain believed strongly in values and was passionate about human rights, pointing out that the intention was not to lecture any country on human rights, rather “we will work as friends”.

He said further that the people would be included as part of the ongoing review of bilateral agreements between the two countries.

Bellingham said Britain intended to intensify its bilateral relations with Nigeria and expressed delight at the volume of trade between the two countries.

He, however, noted that trade was a two-way phenomenon and for it to prosper and succeed, relations must be bright.

Bellingham suggested that the Federal Government should utilise its nationals in the Diaspora to boost the trade relations.

He commended Nigeria on its achievements so far, noting that the two countries had always been on the same pace on several issues at the UN Security Council.

The minister also applauded Nigeria for its contribution to global peace, especially in countries such as Somalia, Zimbabwe and Sudan.

He expressed hope that Nigeria, being the largest democracy in Africa, would set an example by conducting free and fair elections in 2011.

Earlier, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Amb. Dozie Nwanna (OON), had given assurance that the Abuja bombings would not affect the electoral processes.

He reiterated government’s commitment to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections next year.

To achieve this, he said all tiers of government must collaborate, institutions strengthened and opposing views tolerated.

Nwanna noted that the country had survived a civil war and a series of military interventions, hence the resolve by Nigerians “never again to go down the unfortunate path”.

He said that though critics had expressed the view that the country should have achieved more in the past 50 years with its abundant human and natural resources, “development goes with several factors, including discipline and ideological orientation”.

The envoy explained further that the country’s overdependence on oil had led to the non-sustenance of previous economic development, especially in the agricultural sector.

“Nigeria’s economy experienced an economic boom in the 1960s and 70s but by the 80s, the country experienced economic problems which stemmed largely from two main factors.

“Firstly, the oil boom of the 1970s and early 80s brought an early financial windfall for the country.

“Secondly, it brought about an unjustified neglect of the agricultural sector which was then the strongest and most viable sector of the economy,” he said.

Nwanna, however, said that the present administration was willing to attain and sustain a high rate of economic growth.

On the country’s foreign policy, the high commissioner reiterated government’s commitment to national interest, regional stability, global peace and security.