LAGOS – Some socio-cultural organisations in Nigeria on Wednesday lauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s call for concerted global efforts against terrorism and insurgency.
They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos while reacting to Jonathan’s broadcast to celebrate Nigeria’s 54th Independence Day.
Jonathan called for concerted global efforts against terrorism.
He also urged insurgents in Nigerian to lay down their arms and embrace peace.
The president restated the commitment of his administration to bringing all terrorists to justice and making the country safe for all.
In his reaction, Mr Yinka Odumakin, the Spokesman for Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-cultural group, said: “Nigerians must put their differences aside to fight terrorism.
“You can only seek for power when there is a country.
“What is happening in Nigeria is not different from global terror. The difference is in names.
“The aim of the Boko Haram group is to destroy Nigeria, and we must stand up against it.”
Odumakin urged the president to ensure that the recommendations of the National Conference were fully implemented as he promised.
Also speaking, Mr Udoka Udeogaranya, the President, Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN), said that fighting insurgency was a duty of every well-meaning Nigerian.
“The president has said it all. We must join hands to ensure that our lives are secure, by abandoning our differences to stamp out terrorism,” he said.
Commenting, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), told NAN that the group would support Jonathan in the fight against terrorism.
“The issue of fighting terror should not be left alone to the Federal Government and its security apparatus, because our existence as a nation is being threatened.
“I applaud the courage of the president in making such a clarion call,” Yerima said.
In another development, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that Nigerians have many reasons to celebrate the nation’s 54th Independence Day.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, the chapter said that Nigeria had fared well in many areas.
“Although, there is always room for improvement, Nigeria remains the giant on the African continent,” it said.
It decried the activities of those promoting destructive opposition and discouraging patriotism.
The party also urged Nigerians to continue to support the present administration and believe in the country’s quest to be amongst the first best five nations soonest.
“We urge them to stand by the PDP in projecting our nation in good light. We must be wary of those who are bent on pulling down our country,’’ it said.
Also, Mr Jimi Agbaje, a PDP governorship aspirant in Lagos State, said that the nation’s survival was worthy of celebration.
Agbaje made the observation in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday.
The statement was signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Felix Oboagwina.
“If only we can open our hearts objectively, then, we shall see that we have baskets full of blessings and be grateful to God. [eap_ad_1] “Those who have given up on the country failed to consider the fact that Nigeria is endowed with abundant human and natural resources,” he said.
He prayed to God to grant Jonathan the grace to strengthen his Transformation Agenda.
In his comment, Sen. Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, who is the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger-Delta Affairs, said that Nigerians had reasons to celebrate.
Abatemi-Usman, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, made the observation in a statement signed by his aide, Mr Michael Jegede.
“Having lived together all this while in spite of the manifold problems that confronted the nation, there is enough reason to celebrate.
“Let us continue to live in peace, and it shall definitely be well with us all,” he said. (NAN)
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