—nigeria @ 54
By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday called on members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue in order to ensure that peace and tranquility reign in the country.
In a nationwide broadcast to the nation as part of activities to mark the 54th Independence Anniversary of the country, Jonathan said government would listen to the grievances of members of the sect if they shun violence.
He said: “It should now be clear to anyone who was ever in doubt that these terrorists do not mean well for anyone, of whatever religion or dispensation. Their persistent choice of the weakest and most vulnerable in society, for gruesome attack, provides an insight into their abnormal mind-set.
“This Administration is committed to making Nigeria safe for all Nigerians, irrespective of our places of birth, how we worship God and our political persuasion. To all those waging war against our country, I ask that you lay down your arms and embrace peace.
“To those who have genuine grievances, I affirm that Nigeria will listen to you, if you bring your grievances to the table of dialogue. To the good people of Nigeria, let me restate that our task of building a better and greater country must not waver.”
He said the insurgents do not mean well for the country, and that government would to do all it takes to make every nooks and crannies of the country safe for the people irrespective of religious affiliations.
He said government has launched the Victims Support Fund, an independent multi-sectoral charity which would aggressively solicit resources to augment government’s statutory intervention, in bringing succour to the injured, the displaced and the bereaved.
“In partnership with Nigerian business leaders and international partners, we have also introduced the Safe Schools Initiative which is aimed at promoting safe environments for education nationwide, starting with the North East region,” he said.
He said the Presidential Initiative for the North East, a programme to fast-track the economic restoration of the region, which has been the epicentre of terrorist activity, has been set up.
He said the overall objective was to do everything possible to sustain the momentum of economic advancement in the North-East despite the machinations of the terrorists and their sponsors.
He called on Nigerians to put aside political, sectional and other parochial considerations, and support the military in their efforts to check insurgency.
The president commended the international community for their increased partnership and solidarity, saying the steady progress in weakening the insurgency has certainly justified our cooperation.
