From former
Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, came a bombshell yesterday. He said the
war against Boko Haram is not yet over until every Nigerian displaced by
insurgency, returns home.
Atiku said
Boko Haram still occupies a geographical enclave called the Sambisa Forest and
that means we cannot say the war is over and many of the displaced persons are
still afraid to return home because of fear of possible attacks.
Atiku spoke
during the 11th annual Founders’ Day of American University of Nigeria (AUN)
ceremony in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. He said: “We cannot say it’s over until
the survivors of this insurgency receive the help they need, including
psychological therapy to deal with the trauma they have been through.
“It is the
basic right of every Nigerian to live in his local community, go to their
churches, mosques and their children are free to attend school and their women
go to their markets, Atiku said.” He stressed the need for government to
fast-track the rebuilding of basic infrastructure in places recovered from Boko
Haram, so that the people can go back to their homes.
Atiku
challanged leaders and the political class to demonstrate to young Nigerians
that it is better to live than to die so that the appeal to join Boko Haram
will not attract them. Atiku challanged youths to always make their views about
government activities and policies known. On AUN and state of the of the
country.
“Looking back
and looking around, we have made tremendous progress. The little acorn is
growing into a promising oak. But there’s a lot still left to be done. As you
know, the work of building a great university never really finishes. A
university is a living organism. It has to keep growing; it is continuously
nourished. It becomes ever more complex, but also integrated, more extended,
and more interesting.
“This past
year has been particularly challenging for us and for the country. The
country’s economy, which had remained weak, slid into a recession. There has
been little public spending as the new government in Abuja and most state
capitals try to figure out how to proceed with governance, just as oil
production and revenues plummeted. And when citizens, including parents, have
little income to spend, especially in the midst of uncertainty, the effect
spreads to various sectors of the economy, including higher education.
Responding, Director,
Defence Information, Brig. Gen Abubakar Rabe, said:
“While we
recognise and respect the views of our esteemed citizens on national discourse,
issues of national security concern deserves some caution… especially as the
operation is still on and we have and continued to make unprecedented progress
over the insurgents especially in denying them freedom of action and movement
and most significantly, the rescue of persons from the group.
“While we
advise our citizens against politisation of security. We are committed to
eradicating the insurgents and other forms of criminal activities wherever it
surfaces..it is a civic responsibility of citizens to contribute in their
ways and means of confronting the
national crisis with a view to eliminating this menace. We know what we have
done and people are appreciative of stabilising the North-East in particular
and the country in general.”
President of
AUN, Yola, Prof. (Mrs.) Margee Ensign, said the university, Africa’s
development university, is training dynamic leaders that would solve Nigeria’s
economic, social and technological problems. Ensign said the university is
setting the pace in helping Nigeria find solution to its problems.
The Founders
Day, according to her, was set aside to reflect on the founding principles of
the AUN established Atiku. The day celebrates excellence, hardwork, integrity
and service.
During the
event, awards and prizes were given to students and winners of the STEM wizkid
competition. Award of recognition for stellar performances in community service
was also presented.
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