The National Council of State meeting yesterday chaired by
President Goodluck Jonathan got the assurance from the military that the
over 200 school girls abducted in Chibok in April would soon regain
their freedom.This is even as members of the council which is the
highest advisory body to the President, urged the media to stop
celebrating terrorism, saying by so doing, journalists were indirectly
giving the insurgents incentives to wreak more havoc.
Briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting
which lasted about three hours, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill
Akpabio alongside his counterparts, Ramalan Yero, Kaduna and Adams
Oshiomole, Edo State, said the military confirmed that efforts were
under way and very soon, there would be good news.
Following the briefing the council received from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and on the steps being taken, Akpabio noted that, “top on the security was the rescue of Chibok girls which the military authorities also confirmed that efforts were being made and that very soon, we will have good news. It was also heartwarming to note that the issue is not whether we can rescue the girls, but the issue is how can we rescue them to ensure their safety so that we don’t end up endangering their lives.
“We are very satisfied that the security agents know very well where the girls are located and they are on top of the situation,” he said.
The girls were abducted on April 14 from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State resulting in international outrage and condemnation with various countries indicating commitments to rescue efforts.
Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had volunteered to assist in reaching out to Boko Haram but needed government’s approval.
Asked if the council discussed Obasanjo’s offer, Akpabio said, “this will be a third party report, is better you ask him yourself, he was present at the meeting”.
The council, he said, also urged Nigerians to be patient with the government and security agencies as they carry out their duties amid ongoing security challenges.
He said that there wa s also the “need for every person to be vigilant no matter the part of the country you find yourself, adding, “council was satisfied that the President was on top of the issue”.
On the outcome of the meeting, Akpabio said the council approved the appointment of certain commissioners in theNational Population Commission (NPC), whose state still had vacant slots. The states are Ekiti, Yobe, Jigawa, Kebbi and Zamfara.
Also speaking, Oshiomhole said: “On security, we have to recognise the fact that few years back, most of us will swear that there can be a Nigerian who would be a suicide bomber, Nigerians enjoy life, but we now know that there are some of us who are willing to play the role of a suicide bomber. This act of terrorism is completely new and therefore, expect that the Armed Forces have had many years of experience in dealing with internal insurgency and its far more complicated than dealing with an opponent that you can define by location or uniform. The terrorist can be your neighbour, he could be living in your village and you may not know them, but the good news is that the Armed Forces are on top of the situation and we are satisfied they are doing their best and they are paying huge price for which Nigerians should be appreciative and commend them for the sacrifices are making”.
The Edo State governor said the council also urged the media to cautious noting that politicians were also cautioned to put the country first and watch their utterances.
He said: “We are unanimous that the media should put the country first and ensure stories headlines and are informed by national interest because if we celebrate terrorism, then, we are giving them incentives. In reporting, the editor must know what to report, because when there is no country, there would be no media or politician.
“Also, is the role of religious leaders. It is not helpful for any religious leader to seek to rationalize this act by suggesting that these people belong to one religion and that their target is another religion and that the entire thing is based on religion,” he said.
Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero also said council discussed the issue, of politicizing the ongoing security issues stating that there was no need for that as if there is nobody to govern, then politics cannot continue.
Present at the meeting were former Presidents Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar.
Others were Senate President David Mark, Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Dasuki and former Chief Justice of Nigeria Mohammed Uwais.
Other governors at the meeting were Delta, Niger, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kebbi, Gombe, Enugu and Acting governor of Taraba State.
Former Head of State and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was absent. Apart from Govs Oshiomhole and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, other APC governors did not attend the meeting while their colleagues from Yobe and Ogun states sent representatives. PDP governors from Benue and Jigawa states sent their deputies, same for Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Labour Party who was also represented.
Members of the council include former presidents, vice-president, Senate president, Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Justice of the Federation, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Attorney-General of the Federation and the governors.
Following the briefing the council received from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and on the steps being taken, Akpabio noted that, “top on the security was the rescue of Chibok girls which the military authorities also confirmed that efforts were being made and that very soon, we will have good news. It was also heartwarming to note that the issue is not whether we can rescue the girls, but the issue is how can we rescue them to ensure their safety so that we don’t end up endangering their lives.
“We are very satisfied that the security agents know very well where the girls are located and they are on top of the situation,” he said.
The girls were abducted on April 14 from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State resulting in international outrage and condemnation with various countries indicating commitments to rescue efforts.
Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had volunteered to assist in reaching out to Boko Haram but needed government’s approval.
Asked if the council discussed Obasanjo’s offer, Akpabio said, “this will be a third party report, is better you ask him yourself, he was present at the meeting”.
The council, he said, also urged Nigerians to be patient with the government and security agencies as they carry out their duties amid ongoing security challenges.
He said that there wa s also the “need for every person to be vigilant no matter the part of the country you find yourself, adding, “council was satisfied that the President was on top of the issue”.
On the outcome of the meeting, Akpabio said the council approved the appointment of certain commissioners in theNational Population Commission (NPC), whose state still had vacant slots. The states are Ekiti, Yobe, Jigawa, Kebbi and Zamfara.
Also speaking, Oshiomhole said: “On security, we have to recognise the fact that few years back, most of us will swear that there can be a Nigerian who would be a suicide bomber, Nigerians enjoy life, but we now know that there are some of us who are willing to play the role of a suicide bomber. This act of terrorism is completely new and therefore, expect that the Armed Forces have had many years of experience in dealing with internal insurgency and its far more complicated than dealing with an opponent that you can define by location or uniform. The terrorist can be your neighbour, he could be living in your village and you may not know them, but the good news is that the Armed Forces are on top of the situation and we are satisfied they are doing their best and they are paying huge price for which Nigerians should be appreciative and commend them for the sacrifices are making”.
The Edo State governor said the council also urged the media to cautious noting that politicians were also cautioned to put the country first and watch their utterances.
He said: “We are unanimous that the media should put the country first and ensure stories headlines and are informed by national interest because if we celebrate terrorism, then, we are giving them incentives. In reporting, the editor must know what to report, because when there is no country, there would be no media or politician.
“Also, is the role of religious leaders. It is not helpful for any religious leader to seek to rationalize this act by suggesting that these people belong to one religion and that their target is another religion and that the entire thing is based on religion,” he said.
Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero also said council discussed the issue, of politicizing the ongoing security issues stating that there was no need for that as if there is nobody to govern, then politics cannot continue.
Present at the meeting were former Presidents Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar.
Others were Senate President David Mark, Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Dasuki and former Chief Justice of Nigeria Mohammed Uwais.
Other governors at the meeting were Delta, Niger, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kebbi, Gombe, Enugu and Acting governor of Taraba State.
Former Head of State and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was absent. Apart from Govs Oshiomhole and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, other APC governors did not attend the meeting while their colleagues from Yobe and Ogun states sent representatives. PDP governors from Benue and Jigawa states sent their deputies, same for Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Labour Party who was also represented.
Members of the council include former presidents, vice-president, Senate president, Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Justice of the Federation, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Attorney-General of the Federation and the governors.
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Hope rises for Chibok girls as military assures |
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