[size=13pt]October 1: FG denies being scared of Boko Haram[/size]

The Federal Government on Thursday denied speculations that it planned a low-keyed celebration of the nation’s 51st independence anniversary because of the fear of attack by the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.


Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who spoke with State House correspondents in Abuja described such speculations as “irresponsible”. He also chided the media for giving too much attention to the activities of Boko Haram, which he referred to as an “anti-state actor.”


Maku said, “Let me express my disappointment with one of the front page stories in one of the leading newspapers today in which it claimed that the Federal Government has stepped down celebrations in this year’s anniversary because of a Boko Haram scare.


“I think this story was the highest level of lack of responsibility on the part of the management and editors of the newspapers.


“Nigeria belongs to all of us, we must put the interest of this country first. The President has just signed the Freedom of Information bill into law as the sign of this administration’s commitment to the promotion of the Freedom of the Press.


“It is increasingly a matter of concern the way a few newspapers have been reporting the security challenges this nation has. In the first instance, every Nigerian is aware that even under the military regime, it was not every anniversary that this nation celebrated with a military parade.


“I know that under this dispensation, as a former Commissioner, I know that in several years, we never celebrated independence with military parade where school children will come out and engage in a march past.”


The Federal Government had announced that this year’s anniversary event would only feature a national broadcast by President Goodluck Jonathan and an inspection of Guard of Honour inside the Presidential Villa. The announcement fuelled speculations that the government might have done so out of fear that the event could be bombed.


Maku said that contrary to the speculations, the government decided to make the anniversary low-keyed because it had organised two elaborate ceremonies in the last one year.


He recalled that the country held a huge celebration in commemoration of its 50th independence anniversary in 2010 as well as an elaborate presidential inauguration in May 2011.


He said that a lot of money, time and energy were expended on the two ceremonies with world leaders in attendance. This, he explained, informed the decision of the government to make the independence anniversary low-keyed.


He added that the thinking of government was that by 2014 when the country would be marking its 100 years of amalgamation, another elaborate ceremony could be held.


Apart from this, Maku also said that there was no law that made it compulsory that every independence celebration must feature military and schoolchildren parade.


“Even during military era, it was not all independence celebrations that featured military parades. Even during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, military parades were not held at every independence celebration. This is not the first time this kind of low-keyed celebration is being held,” he said.


He advised that when reporting issues bordering on national security, a minimum standard of national interest must be displayed.


While admitting that Nigeria is currently experiencing some security challenges, Maku said that the government was doing everything possible to overcome them.


Two explosions were recorded near the Eagle Square venue of the nation’s 50th independence anniversary on October 1 last year.


The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claimed responsibility for the blasts in which 10 deaths were recorded.


MEND also on Wednesday issued a warning that it would again plant bomb “within and in the vicinity of the Eagle Square venue of the 51st independence anniversary.”

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201109300553585

Na wetin dem go yarn, ,

coward!

Even if we are not told, we all know the reason for the low-keyed celebration. Thank you FG for thinking we are fools!!!

Babinski:

Even if we are not told, we all know the reason for the low-keyed celebration. Thank you FG for thinking i am a fool!!!

I think they are right with that thought

This Mumu's really think Nigerians are as stupid as they are. If its nt because of threat then wot shud be d reason? When a lot of dirty big men in Abj av bn planning how to make more millions during dis 51st anivasri. Boko Haram and MEND don spoil their market. Shameless ppl.

na wa oooo jonathan and his useless ministers.they are all toothless bulldogs.they can bark but cannot bite.what are they afraid of?even if they decide to have a low key celebration,does dat stop the terrorists from attacking?if they are afraid of them,then what do they expect we the masses to do? everybody on your own abi? mtcheeeeeeew!

See them running with their tails inbetween their legs. Thanks to BH & MEND, else many billions would have been waisted again this year.

cowards, even NYSC batch C POP was cancelled, the fear of boko haram has become wisdom for our inept government led by the clueless GEJ

Nairalanders and Nigerians in general will never sieze to amaze me, If the FG did the same thing they need on the inauguration:--- shutting down all access roads to Eagle square, shutting down all network communication in FCT and lining security operatives on every street around the eagle square, we will have a succesfful independence "eagle square" celebration"-----------and the same people calling them cowards will say

"After GEJ spent so much money on the the last two celebrations he is still wasting money on this one-what is he celebrating", Now he has decided on a low-key celebration, why not just shut you mouths if you cant commend him, It annoying that we look for a stupid thing to say in every action of the FG.

What happened to FG inviting Obama


The fear of BOKO-HARAM is the achievement of our 51st Bday

Nigerians - do something problem, dont do it, problem. What the fu ck is wrong with these people?

Maybe they think we have tribal marks on our faces. FG should once in awhile try and swallow their pride. Cowards!!!

If boko says run, Nd fg sAys stop!!! Y on earth will į̸̸̨ not run Afterall na 5m govt go pay for my life,

KokoBeware:

Nairalanders and Nigerians in general will never sieze to amaze me,  If the FG did the same thing they need on the inauguration:--- shutting down all access roads to Eagle square, shutting down all network communication in FCT and lining security operatives on every street around the eagle square,  we will have a succesfful independence "eagle square" celebration"-----------and the same people calling them cowards will say

"After GEJ spent so much money on the the last two celebrations he is still wasting money on this one-what is he celebrating",  Now he has decided on a low-key celebration,  why not just shut you mouths if you cant commend him,  It annoying that we look for a silly thing to say in every action of the FG.

Bro, why haven't they celebrated the independent in low-keyed way all these years? The bottom line is; they are cowards!!!

Nawaoh Na Boko dey rule now. Even NASS guys take off last time

Its a fact, there's absolutely nothing to celebrate, I dont see Boko Haram as much of a threat to National Celebration, but there's nothing really to celebrate its just shameful because they (FG) understand the magnitude of our problems. #myopinion

So u guys want the fg to gather innocent lives 2geda 4 Boko haram to masacar, all in the name of celebration even in d face of d security crack down in d country ryt now? Some dudes here are complete retards!!!!

rekeson:

So u guys want the fg to gather innocent lives 2geda 4 Boko haram to masacar, all in the name of celebration even in d face of d security crack down in d country ryt now? Some dudes here are complete retards!!!!

normally i jus read but dis comment is one of d best av seen on cases like dis, the truth is dat alotta lives will be lost if an elaborate independence day was celebrated.i dnt think d FG should gv reasons 4 every action.d lives of NIGERIANs dat will attend d elaborate celebratn is @staken.d lives of NIGERIANs dat will attend d elaborate celebratn is @stake

bunch of cowards.

As always; the obvious will always remain obvious even in the face of liars!
Why can't the minister just say point blank "yes we are celebrating low key because we have so many challenges of which security is one and we just want to mark the day and get back to work" Simples like a meerkat

Just wondering, has Ruben Abati been shove aside? No release from him for almost a month now! , or is he compiling the list of hand shakes GEJ had during the last UN G-Assembly in New York as one of the achievements one year in office

castrokins:

Its a fact, there's absolutely nothing to celebrate, I dont see Boko Haram as much of a threat to National Celebration, but there's nothing really to celebrate its just shameful because they (FG) understand the magnitude of our problems. #myopinion

If there is nothing to celebrate like you said, what did we have to celebrate last yr and the previous yrs. I dont expect the FG to come out a tell us that the LOW_KEYED celebration is because of BOKO HARAM THREAT. Am sure the NYSC Batch C PASSING OUT PARADE cancellation is because our HISTORIC CORPS members have nothing to celebrate. Lets call a spade a spade, rather than call it a big spoon. lest i forget, did the FG admit the low-keyed celebration is because Nigeria has nothing to celebrate?

IF the like let them call this fact speculation, but we all know that all this is because of the security threat.

he is probably right. Boko Haram doesnt Target Anniversary celebration, MEND Does and they have threatened to do the same again this year. This explains why its low-Keyed

OAM4J:

Two explosions were recorded near the Eagle Square venue of the nation’s 50th independence anniversary on October 1 last year.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claimed responsibility for the blasts in which 10 deaths were recorded.
MEND also on Wednesday issued a warning that it would again plant bomb “within and in the vicinity of the Eagle Square venue of the 51st independence anniversary.”

The Information Minister is dissipating too much energy on the newspaper/media. In fact, it's a mark of responsibility if the FG decided to cancel the parade because of Boko Haram scare.  Let's be frank, is the scare not enough to be taken seriously?  If they go ahead and hold it and there's a loss of lives, won't people blame them for being reckless? On a personal note, I believe there's nothing to celebrate anyway.

However, the FG needs to get to the bottom of the Boko Haram nonsense expeditiously. It's not proper that one year after the blast of October 1, 2010, we are still grappling with the problem. If the tardiness continues, I hope the Presidency would be able to operate from Aso Rock by October 1, 2012.

Of course the whole shinding was low key cos of Boko Haram and MEND. End of story! And it's a good thing too. At least there wont be an profligrate spending to make me cry again this year.
I always wonder what goes thru all these spokesmen mind when they get home after their lies. They'll be like "did this people even believe me sef? Anyway i've done my job" Lol!

rekeson:

So u guys want the fg to gather innocent lives 2geda 4 Boko haram to masacar, all in the name of celebration even in d face of d [b]security crack down in d [/b]country ryt now? Some dudes here are complete retards!!!!

No one is asking them to elaborate the celebration, but they shouldn't have lied to us that, Boko Haram isn't the cause of their current action. We are not fools!!!

I personally don't see much for us to celebrate about the independence, with all the funfair and carnival last year, has the life of an average Nigerian changed for the better.
Boko haram or Mend should not be the reason for a low key affair.

Are we dumb?

4tune1:

See them running with their tails inbetween their legs. Thanks to BH & MEND, else many billions would have been waisted wasted again this year.

abi o , billiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiooooooooooooooooons

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The Cake which was used for last year's celebrations cost over N47m and i'm aware that the guy who tendered his proposal for that cake moved over to a high brow apartment in Maitama +the Avalon and Infinity jeep he bought just weeks after the celebrations.The Cake which was used for last year's celebrations cost over N47m and i'm aware that the guy who tendered his proposal for that cake moved over to a high brow apartment in Maitama +the Avalon and Infinity jeep he bought just weeks after the celebrations.

the FG are afraid. im sure the place will be scanty on 1st