advices Igbo youth against destruction of public facilities
The Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to pay attention to the South East and address the genuine challenges they faced which are the reasons for their agitation.
He said allocation of resources, appointments, provision of critical infrastructure as well as projects aimed at developing the region would go a long way in arresting restiveness especially among the youth in the region.
Governor Ortom who advised the youth of South East against destruction of public facilities in the region, called on the Federal Government to convoke a meeting across party lines of South East stakeholders to dialogue on the problems facing the people of the region, particularly the youth.
He observed that the federal government has not shown sincerity in fighting insecurity in the country as terrorists in the North are seemingly protected while unleashing brut force against those agitating freedom and equality in the South East, noting that if the force employed in arresting Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, and Sunday Adeyemo (Sunday Igboho), the Yoruba nation agitator was used in tackling insecurity across the federation, Nigeria would have become more stable.
Governor Ortom who said that the South East Youth Leaders have always risen to support him whenever he was vilified and attacked by federal government, thanked them for their steadfastness.
Dr. Samuel Ortom was speaking on Thursday, , September 25, 2021, at Sam Nwaneri Event Centre, FRCN, Enugu, while delivering Keynote address at an event organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Enugu National Station Chapel which theme was; “Emerging security situation in the South East: The place of good governance.”
The governor advised president Buhari to outlaw all militant Fulani groups as was done in the case of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
He wondered why the federal government should jettison the principal of federal character in denying the south east their equal share of infrastructure and development as obtainable in other regions in the country.
The Governor appreciated the NUJ, FRCN, Enugu Chapel for presenting him with the award of ‘Courage in Leadership’.
The Benue State governor opined that: “Eastern Nigeria, like other parts of the country, deserves equal attention with the provision of critical infrastructure and development projects, as well as allocation of resources and key appointments at the federal level.
“The menace of insecurity in the East and other parts of the country can only be successfully addressed when we all set aside sentiments and confront the monster. I therefore urge the federal, state and local governments, traditional rulers, religious groups, civil society organizations, youths and all other stakeholders to support security agencies to perform better. Security is everyone’s business.
“I don’t hate the presidency, I don’t hate the Fulani men but I know what is right. I am a man who believes in due process and in the rule of law. For us to make it in this country, we must respect the constitution.
“We live in a country where those who demand for equal rights and freedom to end a wave of injustice and marginalization are hurriedly declared terrorists, while real terrorists who invade communities and kill, rape and maim hundreds of innocent citizens are pampered and given government protection. The South East has been at the receiving end of such injustice, impunity and marginalization.
“I am not a supporter of violence in any form, neither am I here to justify the violence taking place in parts of the South East. This is why I condemn in strong terms, the destruction of federal government properties such as INEC offices, attacks on police station, law enforcement operatives and traditional rulers. Such attacks and destruction does (sic) not make a positive case for freedom fighters and campaigners for justice. Dialogue remains the best option in any dispute.
“Governments at all levels should take aggressive steps to address the problem of youth unemployment. There must be concerted efforts at job creation and youth empowerment using the private sector to provide employment to young Nigerians. This is one sure way to reducing youth restiveness.
“The Federal Government should urgently put in place the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, in order to prevent more industries from folding up. Government policies ought to be friendly to boost private sector participation.
“The Federal Government should, as a matter of honesty and urgency, respect the Federal Character Principle to end marginalization and injustice in form of appointments and development projects.
“The Federal Government should also implement the National Livestock Transformation Plan that was adopted by the National Economic Council (NEC). This will not only protect farming communities from attacks and herdsmen from cattle rustling but also lead to environmental protection, security of lives and property as well as guarantee food security. Indeed, ranching will also boost livestock production.
“As I have been saying, the Federal Government should publicly condemn the atrocities perpetrated by armed herdsmen, as well as arrest and prosecute the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM and other armed herder groups who have consistently admitted to the wanton killings and destruction of communities across the country.
“The Federal Government should proscribe all militant Fulani groups as was done in the case of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), given that the Global Terrorism Index ranks Fulani militia as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world.
“The Federal Government should urgently convene a national dialogue of all ethnic nationalities to address the concerns being expressed by Nigerians.
“The Presidency should urgently hold a meeting of stakeholders of the entire Eastern Nigeria (devoid of party affiliation), probably here in Enugu to discuss the challenges facing the people which have given rise to youth restiveness and the violence being witnessed across the region.
“The Federal Government should listen to patriotic calls from Nigerians and address the worsening insecurity, injustice, marginalization, poverty, hunger, unemployment and inflation, to be able to end agitations across the country.
“I must also appeal to youths of the Eastern region to uphold peace and the non-violence approach in their agitations. I believe that the non-violence model is a better option, as it has worked in other parts of the world.
“I equally appeal to the youths to cease further destruction of federal government structures in the region. Remember that the property you are destroying is your own property. They have already made a genuine case for restructuring among other meaningful demands and their voices have been heard loud and clear across the country and beyond.
“Let me conclude by once again appreciating NUJ, Radio Nigeria Enugu for this honour. I am grateful that you found me worthy of your award. I also congratulate other awardees on this occasion.
“May this event serve as a pedestal for sober reflection over the future of our dear country. I beseech you all to take a moment and reflect on how to make this country a better place for all. Nigeria is on life support and is running out of oxygen.
“All hands must therefore be on deck irrespective of political, ethnic, religious and cultural differences to ensure the resuscitation of the country.
“I thank you for your attention, in God we trust” he prayed. (GMTNews)
