Insecurity, separatist agitations undermining Nigeria’s unity, corporate existence, says Ex-COAS Ihejirika

…Elites stoking hatred among Nigerians for selfish gains – Methodist Archbishop

…Why Nigeria is not working – NIREC, Sheikh Maraya

…What politicians must do to fix Nigeria – Emir of Bichi, Ahmed Lawan

…Abolish ‘State of Origin’, ‘Religion’ concepts,  Bishop Onuoha tells govt

…Nigeria’s peace, unity not negotiable, says SGF


Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), has warned that the spate of insecurity and the clamour for self-determination in parts of Nigeria could destabilise the country, if urgent actions were not taken to address the challenges.

The ex-COAS blamed the situation on mutual distrust, intolerance, poor socialisation and deterioration of the value system, insisting that the crises facing the nation posed an existential threat to its unity and corporate existence.

Speaking at the Interfaith Roundtable on Building a Culture of Peace and Unity in Nigeria, which was organized by the Methodist Church in Abuja weekend, Ihejirika observed that peace and stability could only be achieved when the causes of conflict in society are well-managed.

He said, “The security situation and spate of security challenges in the country should give any reasonable and patriotic Nigerian a sense of worry and concern. More worrisome is the occasional clamour for self determination by a few individuals within some ethnic groups in the country. There is no doubt that the current situation is not the best. It poses a serious threat to our unity and corporate existence as a nation.

“As elders, community and religious leaders, we can contribute to the efforts of government by helping to shape the opinion and reasoning of the people, especially our youths towards peace and unity in the country. We must, through our words and actions, preach peace, love compassion and unity. 

“Our differences should not be a source of division and distrust, but a source of unity, strength and tolerance to engender national building. I wish to call on all patriotic and peace loving Nigerians to raise their voices and show concern in the various communities to support any initiative that could foster peace and stability in our nation.”

Speaking also, the Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, the Most Rev. (Dr) Joseph Oche Job, however, accused the elites of exploiting the religious and ethnic fault lines in the country for selfish gains

He stated, “To us, there are three problems besetting Nigeria. They are ignorance, poverty and hatred. If we are able to overcome these challenges, terrorism will no longer be a problem for us. However, the elites in the country are not ignorant, but they seem to be fueling the problems for their own advantage. They want more money and power. Let us pray for everyone to understand the need to love this nation more than money.”

In the same vein, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Inter-religious Council, Fr. Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, explained that the reason why Nigeria seemed not to be working for all citizens had nothing to do with either religion or ethnicity but greed.

He, therefore, called for greater societal emphasis on modesty and proper religious and secular education, stressing that greedy politicians would stop at nothing to brainwash the ignorant and exploit them to foment trouble.

Also, the Northern Coordinator, Global Peace Foundation (Nigeria), Sheikh Haliru Maraya, identified injustice among the people as a key driver of conflict and instability in the country.

To address these challenges, the Co-Chair, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha, said: “I strongly recommend that the country and its leaders must commit to expunging the ‘State of Origin’ and ‘Religion’ concept when our information/biodata is required for filling forms, applying for jobs or on our international passports.

“It negates the concept and orientation of ‘Nationhood’ and the unity we profess and pledge allegiance to. Where one is born, where their parents were born, or where their ancestors come from, should not determine or limit the equitable opportunities available to them; but rather where they reside or have been raised. 

“We must de-emphasize our faith leanings and rather, emphasize our common humanity and not bring religious sentiments to governance. Nigerians must face the issues of national development and rise above religious sentiments if we are to be listed among the developed nations.

“Also, politicians must remember that they have a role to play in punishing those who offend the laws of the land. There should be no sacred cows and there should be no selective justice in dealing with offenders.”

In addition, the Emir of Bichi, HRH Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, noted that Christians and Muslims in the country have developed mutually beneficial businesses as well as economic and political relationships without crisis, disagreement or violence in company boardrooms, legislative chambers and political meetings.

“We ought to export the same comradeship and mutual interaction to the larger society so that we can help our people build trust, tolerance, harmony and friendship across religious fault lines,” he stated.

On his part, the Senate President Ahmed Lawan said that achieving complete peace in a diverse country like Nigeria was not an easy task, but with the right commitment, dedication and support, lasting solutions to its problems could be found.

 “Achieving complete peace is not a day’s job, but a continuous effort. But what is important is our readiness to carry it out with a sense of belief. This principle is best preached in our  religious and family institutions. That’s why the role of religious institutions in peace-building cannot be over-emphasised. So, we have to work together to make this happen,” Lawan, who was represented by Senator Philip Aduda, stated.

The Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in his remarks, said Nigeria’s unity cannot be negotiated, adding that the Federal Government has done so much to ensure the country does not split. 

Mustapha, who was also represented by the Permanent Secretary (General Service) in OSGF, Maurice Mbaeri, argued that leadership alone was not the cause of insecurity in Nigeria, noting bandits and kidnapper were the products of the larger society.

He said, “The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Nigeria is a very great and peace-loving country.

We have actually witnessed some challenges in the area of security, economy, and recently, Nigeria has experienced the most challenge disturbing in the area of health which is the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all these, Nigeria remains one indivisible nation ready to forge ahead.

“Nigeria’s unity and peace cannot be negotiated. The manner with which we have been tackling the challenges that have come our way as a nation is a clear demonstration of the oneness and togetherness of our people. What is required to make Nigeria great are partnerships, tolerance, engagement and dialogue in situations like this.

“The Federal Government has actually been doing so much to ensure the unity and oneness of  this country. This is demonstrated in the series of engagements and policies the administration has introduced. We have to avoid mutual suspicion, misinformation, ethnic bias, and blackmail. We have to support our leaders at all times to ensure that they succeed and the unity of this country is not negotiated.

“Our religious and traditional leaders should carry-out aggressive advocacy in our rural communities towards ensuring that value reorientation is brought to our youth, because these bandits, kidnappers did not fall from the moon. They are the children of society.”

Insecurity:
Insecurity, separatist agitations undermining Nigeria’s unity, corporate existence, says Ex-COAS Ihejirika

…Elites stoking hatred among Nigerians for selfish gains – Methodist Archbishop

…Why Nigeria is not working – NIREC, Sheikh Maraya

…What politicians must do to fix Nigeria – Emir of Bichi, Ahmed Lawan

…Abolish ‘State of Origin’, ‘Religion’ concepts,  Bishop Onuoha tells govt

…Nigeria’s peace, unity not negotiable, says SGF


Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), has warned that the spate of insecurity and the clamour for self-determination in parts of Nigeria could destabilise the country, if urgent actions were not taken to address the challenges.

The ex-COAS blamed the situation on mutual distrust, intolerance, poor socialisation and deterioration of the value system, insisting that the crises facing the nation posed an existential threat to its unity and corporate existence.

Speaking at the Interfaith Roundtable on Building a Culture of Peace and Unity in Nigeria, which was organized by the Methodist Church in Abuja weekend, Ihejirika observed that peace and stability could only be achieved when the causes of conflict in society are well-managed.

He said, “The security situation and spate of security challenges in the country should give any reasonable and patriotic Nigerian a sense of worry and concern. More worrisome is the occasional clamour for self determination by a few individuals within some ethnic groups in the country. There is no doubt that the current situation is not the best. It poses a serious threat to our unity and corporate existence as a nation.

“As elders, community and religious leaders, we can contribute to the efforts of government by helping to shape the opinion and reasoning of the people, especially our youths towards peace and unity in the country. We must, through our words and actions, preach peace, love compassion and unity. 

“Our differences should not be a source of division and distrust, but a source of unity, strength and tolerance to engender national building. I wish to call on all patriotic and peace loving Nigerians to raise their voices and show concern in the various communities to support any initiative that could foster peace and stability in our nation.”

Speaking also, the Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, the Most Rev. (Dr) Joseph Oche Job, however, accused the elites of exploiting the religious and ethnic fault lines in the country for selfish gains

He stated, “To us, there are three problems besetting Nigeria. They are ignorance, poverty and hatred. If we are able to overcome these challenges, terrorism will no longer be a problem for us. However, the elites in the country are not ignorant, but they seem to be fueling the problems for their own advantage. They want more money and power. Let us pray for everyone to understand the need to love this nation more than money.”

In the same vein, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Inter-religious Council, Fr. Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, explained that the reason why Nigeria seemed not to be working for all citizens had nothing to do with either religion or ethnicity but greed.

He, therefore, called for greater societal emphasis on modesty and proper religious and secular education, stressing that greedy politicians would stop at nothing to brainwash the ignorant and exploit them to foment trouble.

Also, the Northern Coordinator, Global Peace Foundation (Nigeria), Sheikh Haliru Maraya, identified injustice among the people as a key driver of conflict and instability in the country.

To address these challenges, the Co-Chair, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha, said: “I strongly recommend that the country and its leaders must commit to expunging the ‘State of Origin’ and ‘Religion’ concept when our information/biodata is required for filling forms, applying for jobs or on our international passports.

“It negates the concept and orientation of ‘Nationhood’ and the unity we profess and pledge allegiance to. Where one is born, where their parents were born, or where their ancestors come from, should not determine or limit the equitable opportunities available to them; but rather where they reside or have been raised. 

“We must de-emphasize our faith leanings and rather, emphasize our common humanity and not bring religious sentiments to governance. Nigerians must face the issues of national development and rise above religious sentiments if we are to be listed among the developed nations.

“Also, politicians must remember that they have a role to play in punishing those who offend the laws of the land. There should be no sacred cows and there should be no selective justice in dealing with offenders.”

In addition, the Emir of Bichi, HRH Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, noted that Christians and Muslims in the country have developed mutually beneficial businesses as well as economic and political relationships without crisis, disagreement or violence in company boardrooms, legislative chambers and political meetings.

“We ought to export the same comradeship and mutual interaction to the larger society so that we can help our people build trust, tolerance, harmony and friendship across religious fault lines,” he stated.

On his part, the Senate President Ahmed Lawan said that achieving complete peace in a diverse country like Nigeria was not an easy task, but with the right commitment, dedication and support, lasting solutions to its problems could be found.

 “Achieving complete peace is not a day’s job, but a continuous effort. But what is important is our readiness to carry it out with a sense of belief. This principle is best preached in our  religious and family institutions. That’s why the role of religious institutions in peace-building cannot be over-emphasised. So, we have to work together to make this happen,” Lawan, who was represented by Senator Philip Aduda, stated.

The Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in his remarks, said Nigeria’s unity cannot be negotiated, adding that the Federal Government has done so much to ensure the country does not split. 

Mustapha, who was also represented by the Permanent Secretary (General Service) in OSGF, Maurice Mbaeri, argued that leadership alone was not the cause of insecurity in Nigeria, noting bandits and kidnapper were the products of the larger society.

He said, “The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Nigeria is a very great and peace-loving country.

We have actually witnessed some challenges in the area of security, economy, and recently, Nigeria has experienced the most challenge disturbing in the area of health which is the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all these, Nigeria remains one indivisible nation ready to forge ahead.

“Nigeria’s unity and peace cannot be negotiated. The manner with which we have been tackling the challenges that have come our way as a nation is a clear demonstration of the oneness and togetherness of our people. What is required to make Nigeria great are partnerships, tolerance, engagement and dialogue in situations like this.

“The Federal Government has actually been doing so much to ensure the unity and oneness of  this country. This is demonstrated in the series of engagements and policies the administration has introduced. We have to avoid mutual suspicion, misinformation, ethnic bias, and blackmail. We have to support our leaders at all times to ensure that they succeed and the unity of this country is not negotiated.

“Our religious and traditional leaders should carry-out aggressive advocacy in our rural communities towards ensuring that value reorientation is brought to our youth, because these bandits, kidnappers did not fall from the moon. They are the children of society.”


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/10/insecurity-separatist-agitations-undermining-nigerias-unity-corporate-existence-says-ex-coas-ihejirika/

flokii:
I strongly disagree.Fulani/Miyeti Allah's unchecked excesses and attrocities is what undermines Nigeria's corporate existence not agitations.They are killing people and wiping out communities yet nothing is done/none is brought to justice......

"Our history is replete with numerous & uncontrollable instances of callous and insensitive dominating repressive intrigues by those who think it is their birthright to dominate till eternity the political and economic privileges of this great country to the exclusion of the people of the Middle Belt & the south"

It is our unflinching belief that this quest for domination, oppression and marginalization is against the wish of God and therefore, must be resisted with vehemence. Anything that has a beginning must have an end.... -Late Maj.Gideon Gwarza Orkar

warripekin:
Nigerian elites never stop surprising me on how they bury their heads in sands like ostrich pretending all is well, whereas it's not. How do you address the present Nigerian crisis and restore peace to the polity.
1. It's not by killing the agitating youths, dialogue remains the way out
2. Lack of equity, Justice and fairness is what gave rise to agitations, address it. Start with the 1999 Constitution and make it a people's constitution. Go back to the 1963 republican constitution as established by our founding fathers,it was on that bases Nigeria was found.
3. Nigeria is an artificial state and it's very much negotiable.
4. Once the right steps are taken, agitations will end and headsmen terrorism and bokoharam will end.
5. End the feeding bottle economy,whereby each state ,run to Abuja to collect their allawe let each state or region generate their own revenue and sustain the center.
6. Nigeria will likely not be a country within the next five years if the right steps are not taken now to ameliorate the problem.

OgunLaakaye:
Nigeria will conquer any terrorist group

The innocent life’s that will fall as casualties I pity

History has a special way of repeating itself in a bigger way

Fejoku:
Hypocrites and weaklings is all we see from the South. We never seem to learn from history which is why we are repeating all the time.
Ahmadu Bello was very blunt in his expression about Nigeria and he acted and followed it with vigour not minding what anyone thought until he was stopped by a brave soldier. He was able to secure the dominance of the parliament after openly stating his position on Nigeria. What did Azikiwe achieve with all his lofty dreams for uniting Africa by firstly building Nigeria? Nothing. He achieved nothing but rather led us into this unprofitable contraption. The same mistake Ironsi did by doing all he could to placate them. He did nothing for the South. The same foolishness OBJ and Goodluck did. Compare them to IBB, Abacha and Abdulsalam who always thought of strategically empowering their people and region ahead of the South. IBB singly put Nigeria into the OIC that has continue to give a different impression about the true make up of Nigeria. Abacha gave his region a better strategic positioning than how he met it. Abdulsalam wrote the constitution that has given them upper hand in our polity today. What exactly have southern politicians and elites do for the South to give us advantage strategically? Nothing of any significance. Till date their interpretation of a United Nigeria remains on the condition that they determine how it should and must be governed. That's the definition of colonization. No southern leader created a single state in the history of the contraption. For the 61years of the contraption, no single southern politician has ruled based on his own accord or dream. He must be shadowed by them keeping to the goal of the forebears. Is that the history we want to beqeauth to our successors? God forbid. All good countries today once faced a bloody revolt who's aim was to get back control of their lives even if they will end up being poorer. Today their descendants are far much better for it. This shameless clinging to sacrifice everything you have for Nigeria while they force theirs on others making no single concessions makes us appear weak.
Shame on southern leaders including our religious leaders. See Gumi, see El-zakzaky stating their minds openly not conceding whatever they felt was fine for their people but down south our clergy are singing different songs to those who are clearly not in tune. Where are your honour southern elites? Shame on you all.

Insecurity:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/10/insecurity-separatist-agitations-undermining-nigerias-unity-corporate-existence-says-ex-coas-ihejirika/