PROTOCOLS
On behalf of the governments and peoples of the 19 Northern states, and the Northern Governors' Forum, I have led this delegation to the brotherly people and government of Enugu state, to express our condolences on the tragic killings that took place in this state over a week ago. It is our duty to bring condolences to our brothers and sisters and compatriots of Enugu state, because in the best traditions of our people, we must mourn with our compatriots just as we rejoice together, in moments of happiness. It is particularly important for us to express our heartfelt sympathy, because as victims of the terror associated with the Boko Haram crisis, we know the meaning of terror and the associated grief. We have lived with that for over seven years and we have been able to retain stoicism, largely because of the empathy that we have received from our compatriots from all over our country, including the sympathy of the people of Enugu state.In a period of grief, we must also be able to maintain a calmness and clear headedness about the challenges that face us as a country. And we know that these are very difficult times for our country. The killings that have taken place here in Enugu state have come in the context of other killings in various rural communities across our country. The security forces are doing the very best to arrest the situation; efforts are being made to bring perpetrators to face the law and in that process, all Nigerians must assist the security forces with the information to succeed. But it is also important that communities, leaders and especially the Nigerian media, should play a calming and patriotic role in the situation that faces our country.
Our country will not be built with narratives that seem dedicated to stoke the fires of conflict, revenge and the profiling of entire ethnic communities. That posture can only lead to a crisis of violence and spirals of revenge that can easily spin out of control. Surely, that cannot be the outcome that anyone will desire for our country. Many of the conflicts that we are witnessing today are related directly with the worldwide problems of environment, the struggle for resources and the economic and demographic crisis of the past couple of decades. They are also directly related to a governance crisis in our country and the unfortunate fact that our leadership in Nigeria have not often made the right choices for all our peoples. These unfortunate buildup of problems have their consequences and the tragic killings around the country are some of them. They do not justify killings but they give us knowledge about why they occur so that we can all work together in communities, in states, between states and in the country, to find solutions that will satisfy all sides, and help us peacefully build our country, in order for us to reach the heights of our potentials as a great country and the beacon of hope for Africa and the Blackman everywhere on earth.
The Northern Governors' Forum has been working very actively to confront these problems. In the past one year alone, a concerted multi-state effort has been put together to attack the issues of rural banditry and cattle rustling as well as increasing kidnap of people in states like Kaduna, Zamfara and Kebbi. We are also making concerted efforts to arrest the unemployment crisis and lack of hope amongst young people that are often the trigger for criminal activities. We will continue to look for innovative means to build inclusive societies that allow us to work collectively for our people as part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In the effort to build our states and region of Nigeria, we cannot achieve much in isolation from our compatriots in other parts of Nigeria. This includes the good people of Enugu, whose open hearts and generosity are well known around our country. It is significant to remember that this beautiful city once had the late Alhaji Umaru Altine as its Mayor. And it is remarkable that his memory was recently commemorated by this city. Such remarkable facts of our history underscore the possibilities for integration and unity of our country. Narratives like that, are the best riposte for the narratives of hate that some sections of the media especially want to stoke, in response to the tragic and unfortunate killings of recent weeks. There is a lot that bind us together as a country. And it is in tribute to those factors of unity, brotherhood and peace, that we have come to commiserate with the people and government of Enugu State. May the souls of the dead rest in peace. And may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss. May God bring our country together in greater peace and understanding, now and always.
Thank you very much.
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