President
Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged those who have been protesting the
abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State to henceforth
direct their protests to terrorists and not the government.
According to Punch Newspaper He also urged them to learn from citizens of other countries who do not
blame their governments for any terrorist acts in their nations.
The
president also admitted publicly for the first time that his administration was
currently consulting with some stakeholders with a view to exploring what he
called alternative methods of resolving the present crisis.
Jonathan
made the disclosure in speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of State,
Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, to a team of #BringBackOurGirls
campaigners led by a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.
The
protesters who earlier planned to take their protest to the Presidential Villa
where they wanted Jonathan to address them were restricted to the Federal
Secretariat within the Three Arms Zone, a few metres away from the Villa gate
by security agencies.
Those who
joined Akinjide in the delegation that represented Jonathan at the rally
included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim;
Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed; Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Minister
of Women Affairs, Zaynab Maina; and Minister of Environment, Lawrencia Laraba.
Others were
the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Sarah Jubiril;
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati and Senior Special
Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, among others.
Jonathan, in
the speech, made spirited efforts to convince the protesters that contrary to
their belief, his administration was working hard in conjunction with the
international community to rescue the abducted girls and end terrorism.
He said it
was wrong and unfair to say that there was a slow response to the abduction.
He said, “It
is wrong and most unfair to suggest that there was a slow reaction to this
kidnapping. As Commander-in-Chief, Mr. President meets with the security chiefs
almost daily and he is on constant consultation with regional and global
partners on this terrorists’ threat.
“That is why
I want to appeal to your group and to others through this medium that it is
important that genuine patriotic zeal is matched with the realistic
understanding of the situation in expressing concern and sentiment on this
matter and other matters of terrorism. Please continue
“As early as
January 23, 2013, Mr. President at Davos, Switzerland asked the world for help
in tackling terrorism. He later met with President Obama during the United
Nations General Assembly meeting in September 2013 where he also requested for
the support of the United States of America.
“Government
believes that we must all come together to fight terrorism and that protest
should be directed at the terrorists who have abducted our innocent daughters
and deprive them of a place at the fountain of freedom in our country.
“Our security
forces are among the best trained in Africa, they are making so much sacrifices
in the fight against terror. As we sleep daily, they are on the field
confronting the enemy. They need our support, not attack and discouragement.
They are also losing their lives.
“When
terrorists see Nigerians turn on each other in blame, it gives them a huge
moral boost. We must never lose sight of the fact that the terrorists are the
real enemies.”
Jonathan
warned the protesters and Nigerians against politicising the anti-terrorism
campaign, saying nationals of other countries do not behave that way.
“We must be
careful not to politicise the campaign against terrorism. When a bomb goes off
in Kabul, Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan do not blame the government,
they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb
goes off in Baghdad, Iraq, the people of Iraq do not blame the government, they
blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb
goes off in Islamabad, Pakistan, the people of Pakistan do not blame the
government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb
goes off in Nigeria, we must all unite to fight the terrorists. This is the
task of this generation.
“Our
daughters must be freed to come home to their parents and loved ones. Our
daughters must be freed so that they can return to schools to receive their
education.
“Our
daughters must be freed so that they can return home to be with their friends
and play like all children their age do.
“All
Nigerians must unite against terror, whether we be male or female, old or
young, North or South, irrespective of political or religious affiliation. This
is our fight, we must unite. The Federal Government is united with the people
of Nigeria in this fight,” he added.
The
President reeled out the various steps his administration had taken to rescue
the abducted girls.
These,
according to him included military and diplomatic efforts.
Beyond that,
he said he had started consultation for alternative methods of resolving the
impasse.
He added,
“Government has mobilised all resources, military and diplomatic, in the search
for our girls who have suffered so much trauma in captivity by agents of
terror.
“From the
very first day this kidnapping occurred, the Federal Government took action,
directing our security services to go after the abductors.
“The search
for our daughters has now assumed regional and global proportions and our
nation has received strong supports from our neighbouring countries and the
international community, including the United States, China, Africa, the United
Kingdom and the entire African continent.
“The
security forces have also reached out to the Borno State Government and
community members for support and collaboration to bring back our innocent daughters.
So far, the campaign to bring our daughters back home is on and is receiving
global support.
“Nigeria in
collaboration with Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin Republic have all agreed to
establish a single centre for sharing intelligence on the activities of
terrorists across our national boundary.
“Apart from
those efforts on the public space, we have initiated consultations with so many
stakeholders to explore alternative methods of resolving this crisis.”
The
President urged civil society groups to use their influence to encourage
Nigerians to provide useful information to the security services, using the
emergency number 112, saying citizens must protect citizens if their
civilisation is to endure.
He however
appreciated the support and efforts of the group and others across the
worldwide against the kidnap and senseless mayhem.
He described
the act as very painful, adding that the world is under the grip of terrorism
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