There has been widespread coverage of the International Development Secretary’s visit to Nigeria with the Foreign Secretary.
On the first day of the visit, BBC News at Ten, BBC Radio 4 PM programme and CNN reported from the visit on how the UK is helping to strengthen the Nigerian military’s ability to tackle Boko Haram, and featured the International Development Secretary’s announcement of new humanitarian funding which is providing lifesaving food to over 1.5 million people on the brink of famine in the north east.
The International Development Secretary’s announcement, along with her calls for the international community and the Nigerian Government to step up support for the crisis, are also carried in the UK papers and online, including the Evening Standard, The Telegraph, The Guardian, i news, BBC Online, and MailOnline, in addition to local Nigerian news coverage.
On the second day of the visit, the International Development Secretary announced a £7 million package to tackle modern slavery in Nigeria, which was covered in today’s The Times.
Visual news stories, images and comments from the Secretary of State have also been posted on DFID’s social media channels.
International Development Secretary Priti 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 aid reform 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 these people can rebuild their lives in safety – reducing the threat of radicalisation and migration for the UK at home.
On Modern Slavery, Ms Patel said:
It is shameful that in the 21st Century the evil crime of modern slavery lurks in every corner of the globe, including on the UK’s streets, destroying the lives of young men, women, and children. We will not stand aside and ignore this barbaric and often invisible crime, which all too often reaches our shores and is damaging for everyone except the perpetrators.
The UK is a global leader in stamping out modern slavery, pressing the international community including the Nigerian Government to tackle this crime at source, bringing perpetrators to justice and protecting victims who have been subject to unimaginable horrors.
Our support is offering vulnerable girls and women an alternative life to slavery and exploitation and helping them reintegrate into society, stopping vicious cycles of abuse and creating a more prosperous and secure future for thousands, as well as for us at home.
General media queries
Email: mediateam@dfid.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 7023 0600
Follow the DFID Media office on Twitter - @DFID_Press