Africtv - Mail News... Reports
- The Boko Haram insurgency took the centre stage in the polity yesterday.
- Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon called for serious action against the insurgency.
- Gen. Gowon expressed concern about the growing hype of ethnic nationalism and ethno-religious activism.
It dominated discussions at the inauguration of the new leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna.
The inauguration of the Ibrahim Coomasie-led ACF leadership attracted the North’s political leaders, including Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Also there were former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, governors and others.
In Abuja, the House of Representatives passed a resolution that the Army Headquarters should move to Maiduguri, the beleagued capital of Borno State – the epicentre of the Boko Haram activities.
The Presidency slammed Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima for declaring on Monday that the Army lacks the capacity to combat the sect’s members.
Gowon spoke as Vice President Sambo said the nation would need about 2.9 trillion dollars to address its infrastructural needs within the next 30 years.
The former Head of State said there was the need for all Nigerians “to come together and unleash their synergy against the security challenges and other national malaise, be it Boko Haram, ethno-religious crisis, kidnapping, militant activism, armed robbery or piracy or any other such act that disrupt the peace and harmony and threatens the economic and social development of the country.
“We believe the situation is not beyond redemption and so, should not be allowed to set a national agenda of reconsideration of our unity and nationhood.
“Freedom brought about by democracy… is expected to thrive on a tripod of: foundation of liberty, justice and common decency. That is why it is said that democracy is rather a contest of ideas and reasons and not contest for survival where politicians take it out violently among themselves in the name of democracy. Only Liberty, justice and common decency are true elements of democracy,” he said.
Gen. Gowon urged politicians not to resort to violence in the name of freedom that comes with democracy. You will agree with me in saying that although Nigeria may be going through hard times, political, economic and social, we have a resilience to tackle it successfully.
“The different times should spur national grandeur, bring about good leadership and the best in every one of us, instead of the current hype in ethnic nationalism and religious bigotry that seek to promote cleavages that is self destructive. It is very important to note that no nation thrive on the victory of factions, but through ultimate reconciliation”.
He frowned at the emergence of different elders’ groups in the north, noting that the ACF was built on the promise of an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peaceful coexistence in the north and in the context of one united Nigeria.
He said “I am compelled to mention this because the ACF emerged through the coming together of northern elders for the expressed purpose of promoting peaceful coexistence in the north as precondition for socio-economic development of the north and that of Nigeria.
“We do not share in the reason being advanced in favour of proliferation of elders groups that ACF is not politically active. It is important to note that while ACF may not be politically partisan for obvious reasons, many of the forum’s members belong to different political parties.
Sambo said the nation needs an average infrastructure spending of 25 billion dollars between 2014 and 2018 as against the current spending of 9-10 billion dollars.
The leadership of the ACF is made up of the following:
Board of Trustees
Chairman-Adamu Fika, Deputy Chairman- AVM Muhktar Mohammed (rtd), Vice Chairman-Prof. Para Mallum
National Working Committee:
Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie-Chairman, Musa Liman Kwande-Deputy Chairman, Senator Abubaklar Girei-Vice Chairman, Col. John Paul Uba-Secretary General, Barrister Halima Alfa- National Legal Adviser, Abubakar Husaini Moriki-National Treasurer, Muhammed Ibrahim Biu-National Publicity Secretary, Ahmad Bawa-National Financial Secretary, Baba Sule Bissala National Auditor, Abubakar Gambo Umar-Deputy Secretary General, Hajia Fatima Kwaku-Deputy National Legal Adviser, Murtala Usman Aliyu- Deputy National Treasurer, Hajia Amina Ladan Baki- Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hajia Laraba Dattijo Deputy National Financial Secretary, Mohammed Hassan Fawu-National Deputy Auditor, Mohammed Tanko Soba- Assistant Secretary General, Bashir Albasu-Assistant National Legal Adviser, Sale Gacha Bade-Assistant National Treasurer, Adebayo Abubakar-Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Ado Datti Assistant National Financial Secretary and Navy Capt Hamidu Usman Jefeji.
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