The bells of 1993 are still ringing - BUHARI

REMARKS BY GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR ON THE OCCASION OF POLITICAL PARTIES SUMMIT ON JUNE 12TH 2014
One of the most important advantages of history is that it affords us the opportunity to learn from it. A sage once said “those who do not learn from history will be condemned to re-live it.

1993 was an important reference point in our politics, our efforts at unity, our evolution and integration – in short our history. The bells of 1993 are still ringing. We lost a historic great opportunity to do the right thing for the peace and harmony of the nation.

The main purpose of this gathering, I believe, is to soberly recall and reconsider the events of 12 June, 1993 and their aftermath. When we are able to learn the correct lessons of those turbulent days, we must then resolve never to repeat those mistakes. We need not further dwell on who or what was responsible or apportion blame or who won and who lost. The whole country lost. Nobody won. The past is prologue.

International Community Must Intervene: Jonathan Government Not Capable Of Countering The Menace Of Violent Islamic Sect - Soyinka

The government of President Goodluck Jonathan was not capable of countering the menace of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, says the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka

Speaking on Amanpour on CNN, Soyinka submitted that the international community must intervene in what he called the bestiality of the insurgents when responding the question of the host, Christine Amanpour on how the insurgency in the country could be tackled.

“This menace has to be internationalised; every country has to be involved in finding solutions to the problem. It is not a Nigerian problem but the problem of the whole world. From the activities of the group and the response of the government since this madness started, it is clear that this government cannot handle this problem alone,” he said.

Soyinka accused both the past and the present governments in the country of living in self denial, by believing that they could negotiate or “appeal” to “murderers and killers” to stop their activities.