2-IN-1 STORY: UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson Opens Country’s New Embassy In Abuja; Britain To Cut Its Foreign Aid Money To Nigeria By 50%

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson with the International Development Secretary Priti Patel

The United Kingdom on Thursday opened its new Embassy in Abuja, which it said would further strengthen its relationship with Nigeria.

PREMIUM TIMES report continues:

Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary who unveiled the new diplomatic complex at 8:13 a.m., said it signified the growing relationship between the Commonwealth pair.

“It gives me great pleasure to open this wonderful, new, super, colossal British High Commission in the Nigeria’s capital, Abuja,” Mr. Johnson said.

“It would further strengthen the British diplomatic ties with Nigeria,” the UK top diplomat said.

He said the new building is a symbol of UK’s long-term commitment to Nigeria.

The new British High Commission, located at Plot 1157, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, accommodates all of the UK Government departments working in Abuja. It is adjacent to the United States Embassy and construction started on February 26, 2014.

It provides a single platform for all the UK-based and locally engaged staff working across Her Majesty’s Government (Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for International Development and Home Office.

“The British High Commission’s operations were significantly constrained by inadequate accommodation across four sites with little or no room for expansion. A consolidated hub was required to bring together all of HMG operations in Abuja to one secure location,” the Embassy’s public affairs office said in a statement.

Over 100 Britons and 164 locally-engaged staff will work from the new building, reporters learnt.

Before diplomatic staff started moving into the new building six weeks ago, activities were conducted at the official residence of the British Ambassador to Nigeria in Maitama.

Mr. Johnson, a former Mayor of London, arrived Nigeria on Wednesday with a visit to Maiduguri, where he inspected activities against Boko Haram and toured camps of the internally displaced persons.

He will participate at a dedication ceremony for the new Commonwealth War Memorial in honour of about 2,000 Nigerian soldiers and servicemen who lost their lives during World War I and World War II.

The diplomat is expected to cap his visit with a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House.

Britain To Cut Its Foreign Aid Money To Nigeria By 50%

The Telegraph reports that Britain has halved the amount of money given to Nigeria in humanitarian aid, saying the country's government must "step up and do more" to stop Boko Haram extremists.

It follows a joint visit by Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, and Priti Patel, the International Development Secretary, to Nigeria to see the UK’s response to the humanitarian crisis, where they saw how British military had been training Nigerian soldiers to fight militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

Last night the Government announced £200million of aid funding for the four years from 2018 to 2022. It amounts to £50million per year, half the amount given for 2017.

Ms Patel said: "My job isn't just to give aid and give money, my job is to make sure that money goes further and that we leverage that with the Nigerian government to make them step up and do more."

The emergency aid money has been pledged to save lives and rebuild parts of Nigeria destroyed by Boko Haram, the Government has announced.

Ms Patel had announced £100million in humanitarian support for 2017 earlier this year.
In 2016, around £70million of humanitarian support was provided.

In a statement Ms Patel said: “It is catastrophic that at least 20,000 people have been murdered by Boko Haram’s terrorist regime, and over five million people have been left hungry and many homeless. Babies’ bodies are shutting down and mothers who have lost everything are fighting to keep their children alive.

“Global Britain is a country that stands tall in the world and the UK will not turn its back on people living in danger and desperation.

“We are leading the way on the international stage through our world-class development, defence and diplomacy, providing a lifeline to over 1.5 million people on the brink of famine, tackling Boko Haram and pushing for global aidreform to deliver help more effectively.

“Terrorism knows no borders and the Nigerian Government must now follow our lead to stop innocent people dying and securing the area so that people can rebuild their lives in safety – reducing the threat of radicalization and migration for the UK at home.”
Mr Johnson said: “This is about helping a Commonwealth partner in its time of need as well as addressing the root causes of international challenges.”