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Borno elders task President-elect on security, power, others

By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
06 April 2015   |   3:05 am
MEMBERS of Borno Elders Forum (B0EF) have congratulated the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, over their “cherished and well-deserved” victory at the just-concluded presidential polls in the country. The congratulatory message, which was contained in statement in Maiduguri by BOEF Chairman, Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari, reads: “We see this…
Buhari

Buhari

MEMBERS of Borno Elders Forum (B0EF) have congratulated the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, over their “cherished and well-deserved” victory at the just-concluded presidential polls in the country.

The congratulatory message, which was contained in statement in Maiduguri by BOEF Chairman, Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari, reads: “We see this as a victory for democracy, peace and harmony throughout the country and beyond. It is a victory for the Black race and the masses in general.

The wild jubilation that erupted throughout the country – from Lagos to Baga, Sokoto to Calabar – and indeed worldwide indicated that Nigerians do not resort to violence whenever they get what they deserve; they easily express joy and celebrate and embrace one another irrespective of their religious and ethnic differences. Nigerians deserve you as their President

“The wild jubilation that erupted throughout the country – from Lagos to Baga, Sokoto to Calabar – and indeed worldwide indicated that Nigerians do not resort to violence whenever they get what they deserve; they easily express joy and celebrate and embrace one another irrespective of their religious and ethnic differences. Nigerians deserve you as their President.”

Nigerians, according to Galtimari, have got the ‘Change’ they desperately needed, adding that knowing the calibre of the President-elect and his running mate and their antecedents, we will certainly have a strong and purposeful leadership that formulate policies and programmes that will uplift not only Nigeria and its citizens; but by extension the African continent and its people.

“This congratulatory message needs to be accompanied by a few words of advice to our in-coming President. We feel this is necessary before he assumes his office in two months’ time.

“Over the past few years, Nigerians have been terribly afflicted by insurgency and high level terrorism. For us in Borno State and indeed the North-East, it is not an exaggeration to say that we have been taken back several years in terms of all indices of human development. However, we believe it was our destiny.

“We, therefore, urge Mr. President to promptly eradicate all forms of insurgency and violence across the country. This should be the starting point. Nothing works without peace. We recently had had cause to plead with the nation to come up with a Marshall plan for the North-East, starting first by setting up a high-level presidential assessment committee to take stock of the level of devastation. We need to be quickly rescued, rehabilitated, reconstructed, resettled and re-established”, he further said.

On the reliance on oil, the statement said: “The President-elect needs to quickly address the diversification of sources of revenue generation in the country. We need to massively pay attention to agriculture and solid minerals development. We equally need to accelerate the exploration and exploitation of petroleum deposits, particularly in the Chad Basin and the Benue Trough and other places in Nigeria.

“Nigerians desperately need power, schools, healthcare, houses, roads, food and water and above all security. Our Armed Forces, the Police and indeed all men and women in uniform need to be protected, motivated, well-kitted and their needs of housing, equipment and so on adequately taken care-of.”

On policing the entire country, Galtimari also added: “There is also the urgent need for mass recruitment into the Nigeria Police. The current number of police personnel is grossly inadequate. We already have mass of manpower readily available across the country. The pride and dignity of our police and military must be restored. We need a strong and loyal military and a well-respected and trusted police. This is the pride of every great nation.

“We also pray for a smooth transition. We equally wish to appreciate the statesmanship exhibited by President Goodluck Jonathan for not only conceding victory; but also embracing the President-elect. He will certainly be listed among the world leaders who lived for peace.”

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