Chibok Kidnap Experience Could Be A Defining Moment To Unite Nigeria – Gov Fashola

…As Femi Kuti, Jide Kosoko, Iyabo Ojo join protest

As Nigeria goes through a dark moment through the activities of insurgents, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has seen the possibility of the country getting better and becoming more developed. He said the experience of the current disturbances, especially the Chibok kidnap, could be a “defining moment” to unite the country.The Governor who spoke on Monday at the Lagos House, Ikeja when he received a coalition of Women Arise Against Terror group and religious organizations in Ikeja under the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) explained that the problem could be defining if the nation can sustain the sense of brotherhood being displayed by everyone rising against the dehumanizing Chibok problem.

He believed that if Nigerians could carry on their lives fairly as brothers and sisters without the dividing lines of ethnicity, religion, etc then the country would be better managed as people will be more united and trust one another more.

He maintained that there may be a sense in the manner at which information about all operations concerning the abducted girls are being managed so as to prevent a situation where information falls into wrong hands or undermine the safety of the girls.

He commended the sense of compassion and brotherhood which the protesters have displayed in mobilizing themselves to speak out loud and show concern over the plight of fellow Nigerians in danger.

The Governor sympathized with the parents, guardians and families of the missing girls, saying they must be going through a lot of difficulties and pains in awaiting the return of their loved ones.

He reiterated that while his administration would do everything possible to keep the average resident of Lagos safe it still expects the citizens to do everything possible to secure themselves as the government cannot be in every home, saying every citizen owes it a duty to ensure his personal safety.

He advised parents to be more interested in the well being of their children by showing concern in who they keep their children with either during school or after school hours and paying attention to little things like who and who has the mandate to pick the children at school.

He said there is a need for parents to also do more for the children by going to their school regularly and also talking to the children so that their trust can be cultivated at all times.

Fashola noted that while the state is safe, some people are not happy about it because they believe there is a business in conflict and thus called on everyone to come together against all forms of criminal activities.

He cautioned against the negative use of telephones to send panicky messages which could make people live in fear, saying such messages when received should be sent to security agencies who are in a better position to tackle whatever security issues may have arisen.

While urging the people to continue to live in peace, the Governor charged them to put a stop to the practice of attaching ethnic or religious colouration to every act that is committed by any person, and advised them to always treat issues based on their merit instead of insinuating that it was an act committed by someone from a particular part of the country.

Earlier, the Women Arise against Terror group leader, Dr Joe Okei Odumakin had presented a letter of protest addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan to the Lagos State Governor saying Nigerians refuse to surrender to terrorism.

She added that part of the request of the group is that the Federal Government must ensure that all the girls are rescued safely and that they must be adequately compensated for what they have gone through.

The group also called on the Federal Government to ensure that the girls when found complete their West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam which was abruptly disrupted by the abduction and that the sponsors of the terrorist attacks be brought to book.

Also speaking during the peaceful protest, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Dame Priscilla Kuye appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that the girls are released immediately because their rights have already been infringed upon.

Earlier during the prayer rally protest by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from Ikeja which took place at the Banquet Hall of Lagos House, Ikeja, one of the leaders of the team, Pastor Wole Oladiyun had prayed for the Governor and the State.

He explained that since strength had failed the nation till this point, the belief of the group is that only prayers can do and that this accounts for why the group is at Alausa to offer prayers to effect the release of the abducted girls and banish bloodletting from Nigeria.

The Women Arise Against Terror Group also included musicians like Femi Anikulapo-Kuti and actors and actresses like Prince Jide Kosoko, Iyabo Ojo and Foluke Daramola while the prayer group included different ministers of God across all denominations.

The Governor was also joined by members of the State Executive Council including the Commissioners for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, Commerce and Industry, Mrs Sola Oworu, Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Idiat Adebule and Home Affairs and Culture, Hon Oyinlomo Danmole in receiving the various groups.