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A socio-political group, Coalition for a Better Nigeria, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for taking urgent steps to find a lasting solution to the ongoing security challenges in the country.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Awa Bamiji on Wednesday, the group said, “we are glad to note that the Nigerian Air force (NAF) had deployed additional 32 Special Forces in Southern Kaduna with a view to supporting Operation Safe Haven being currently executed by the military to restore normalcy to the area.”
It said this was done at a period when the serious bombardment and arrests of insurgents, hoodlums and other criminal elements were ongoing in Malaila area of Sokoto, Katsina and Yobe States, Lake Chad among others. The group also hailed the president for the breakthrough in apprehending the suspected attackers of the Imo State Governor’s convoy.
“At this crucial stage, while we thank the President Buhari-led Federal Government for its quick response, we will also suggest it gives the Nigerian military an urgent and appropriate boost in terms of increasing human and material resources for it to overrun these dare-devil insurgents and criminals across the country as soon as possible,” the statement said.
“The inauguration of an Inter – Ministerial Technical Committee Expert to work out the modalities of lifting 100 million Nigerians out poverty is a welcome development and it is long overdue, considering the alarming and increasing rate of youth unemployment over the decades in Nigeria, but we thank God that President Buhari has risen up to this challenge despite the global economic problem occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Awa said.
He added: “Regardless of its frantic efforts on the regular recruitment of unemployed youths into the N – power programme and creation of 774,000 public works, most people have lost hope in the Federal Government’s ability to create enough jobs for the millions of unemployed youths in Nigeria but delay does not mean denial.
“This is the best gift from Mr President for the millions of Nigerian youths during this period of celebration of the International Youth day.”
On the continued interaction between the Department of State Service’s and the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deputy governor, Dr Obadiah Mailafiya over the interview he granted an Abuja based radio station, where he alleged that a northern governor is a Commander of Boko Haram, the group said: “We will advise the DSS officers in charge to be civil, friendly, and professional in their duty so as to encourage other patriotic Nigerians to speak out their minds on the way forward. Nigeria need all useful information from the public, discouraging the radio station with N5 million fine and the invitation if its guest by the DSS is already raising public suspicion.”
“It is on this note, we are suggesting that the security around him and his family members be beefed up as he may soon become a government witness or whistle blower against the alleged Boko Haram commander – a northern governor, and a total withdrawal of the hate speech fine of N5 million against the radio station.
“His statement is not in anyway different from what former President Goodluck Jonathan said that the Boko Haram members had infiltrated his government. Thus, making it difficult for him to unravel the mystery behind their operation. Dr Obadiah Mailafiya deserves nothing but a national honour for his boldness and patriotism.
“Instead for us to see how he could be made a government witness, after extracting the useful information that could lead to arrest and prosecution of the culprit, we suddenly turned the table against him and N5 million fine was slammed on the radio station.
“The public perception of this action is that government is telling the whole world that it is not ready to do away with the deadly Boko Haram and other insurgents because of some derived benefits,” the group said.
It continued: “We say kudos to the people’s governor, Babajide Sanwo – Olu of Lagos State on the planned unveiling of Oshodi multilevel terminals and successful inauguration of 13.5km Oshodi – Abule Egba BRT corridor to cushion the effects of public transportation in the densely populated state.
“We congratulate former Minister of State for Energy, Edmund Dakoru, on his assumption of duty as Chairman, Board of Directors of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited.
“On the occasion of their birthday celebrations, we say many happy returns to Chief John Odigie Oyegun @ 81; Senator Anthony Adefuye @ 79; Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (a.k.a. Yayi or Omo West) @ 51 and Chief Edward Onoja, Kogi State Deputy Governor @ 46.
“We mourn former US Ambassador to Nigeria and Senegal, Walter Carrington, who stood firmly behind the democratic struggles towards the actualisation of June 12 election in Nigeria as he passed on at 90. We thank God for his life because his concerted efforts alongside others had turned June 12 to Nigeria’s democracy day since 2018 and we also took solace in the fact that in July 2010, Lagos State Government in conjunction with the Civil Societies in Nigeria celebrated him Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos State. We commiserate with President Donald Trump of US, your amiable wife, Arese, who is an indigene of Edo State, your promising Children, families, friends and associates.
“We equally regret the demise of both the former Governor of the defunct Gongola State and elder statesman, Ambassador Wilberforce Bafte Juta and Senator Buruji Kasamu. We commiserate with Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and Prince Dapo Abiodun, Executive Governor of Adamawa and Ogun States respectively, as well as their individual families, friends and associates.
“We also commiserate with Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, on the demise of the former Deputy Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Ayodele Shittu. May God Almighty rest his soul.
“On International Youth day: The Organiser of Big Brother Africa and that of Big Brother Nigeria need to retrace their steps by beginning to use these popular events to promote African Languages, culture, tradition and Intellectual debates. While we encourage youths in Nigeria and diaspora to be good Ambassadors wherever they find themselves all over the world, we also advise the government to increase her investment in the youths through formal education, skill acquisition, employment opportunities, Inclusive patronage in politics and in every position of authority in Nigeria.
“Happy celebration to all Youths and young at heart in Nigeria and diaspora,” the statement concluded.