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Boko Haram Ceasefire Excites Sambo …As Ebitu Ukiwe Kicks Against Dialogue
Vice President Namadi Sambo at the weekend commended the recent Boko Haram ceasefire, saying the government was making consultations on the best approach to the matter.
Sambo stated this when he paid a visit to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State in Maiduguri, the state capital.
“We are happy about the ceasefire pronouncement.
“But the Federal Government is consulting on the best approach to the matter so that we can achieve lasting peace in Nigeria,” he said.
Sambo said the government was also working towards reviving the Maiduguri-Port Harcourt train service to boost economic activities in the country.
“Work on the rehabilitation of the Maiduguri- Port Harcourt rail is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
“We are hoping that the Maiduguri-Port Harcourt train service will commence immediately after the completion of the work,” he said.
Sambo commended Shettima for his numerous achievements in spite of the security challenges facing the state.
In his remarks, the governor requested the assistance of the Federal Government to create jobs for the hundreds of unemployed youths in the state.
Shettima pointed out that the Boko Haram problem was caused largely by extreme poverty and unemployment.
“The World Bank has described parts of the North East Nigeria and other nearby areas as most poverty endemic in the world.
“We will appreciate Federal Government’s support in fighting poverty in the state. In fact, we are begging for your support,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s former Chief of General Staff, Retired Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe has kicked against any dialogue with the Boko Haram sect by the Federal Government.
Retired Commodore Ukiwe stated this while speaking with selected journalists at the 4th Triennial State Delegates Conference of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Rivers state council held at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, recently.
He said the Boko Haram sect is a faceless organisation deberving of no dialogue with constituted authority as the Federal Government.
He urged the federal government to rather intensify efforts in addressing the security challenges posed by the activities of the Boko Haram sect.
On the issue of the recommendation by former President, General Olusegun Obasanjo that the Federal Government adopt the carrot and stick approach in handling, the Boko Haram insurgence the former Chief of General Staff said, such concept cannot be fully comprehended by Nigerians.
He advised the federal government not to listen to such advice, adding that the government needs to be committed and focused in providing adequate security to all Nigerians and foreigners living in the country.
On the issue of rotational presidency among the geo-political zones of the country, the retired Navy officer said, he does not believe in zoning the position of the president of the country.
He said, “ I believe the president of this country can come from any geo-political zone, adding that what Nigerians needed was a performing president not zonal president.
He said the Igbos had right to be president of this country in the future, stressing that the Igbo nation needs to support the Goodluck Jonathan presidency for now.
Philip Okparaji
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