Nigeria offers to rebuild UN House

The Nigerian leader also assured that the Nigerian government would offer temporary accommodation to UN to enable them to continue doing the good humanitarian work they have been doing.

The president gave the assurance during an audience with Asha- Rose Migiro, the deputy secretary-general of the United Nation who was in the country over last Friday bomb blast at the UN building in Abuja.

He also expressed condolence to the United Nations's family for the sad loss of lives and pledged assistance to enable the immediate evacuation of the dead to their countries and the wounded for medical treatment.

The president also commended Nigerians and foreign nationals who helped in the rescue operations and all efforts to bring relief to those affected by this condemnable act of destruction of lives and property.

Earlier, Migiro said she came to observe and assess the situation after the bombing of the UN House, adding that this condemnable act would not deter them from doing their work.

She requested for assistance to enable the quick evacuation of the dead and injured, and thanked President Jonathan for offering to assist in the reconstruction of the UN House, as well as the temporary accommodation to enable the UN to continue its work in Nigeria.

The UN deputy secretary-general said other top-level officials would remain in Nigeria to carry out a thorough assessment and examination of the whole building and advice the secretary-general accordingly.

She told reporters that the issue of terrorism dominated the discussion with the Nigerian leader.

"We have discussed the question of the terrorism bombing that happened at the UN facilities here. We have brought our appreciation to Mr President and the people of Nigeria for the quick response that we got from the government, from the rescue team and also we shared our willingness to continue the work we have been doing, that out people have just paid the ultimate prize for and we also look forward to also see how we address some of the concerns that must have come up as a result of the attack," she added.

She said the United Nations is to do a thorough assessment of security issue.

"We are currently doing a thorough assessment of what happened and how it happened and how we should strengthen whatever measures we have that are of security nature," she added. "We will never be deterred, we believe in global peace, we believe in global security, we believe in development. And here in Nigeria, the people are working hard to improve their lives and the United Nations is here for that."