President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said that the Federal Government had started mobilising the military and task forces to the oil-rich Niger Delta.
He said the step became necessary to stop the sabotage of oil facilities and kidnapping of citizens for ransom in the coastal areas of the country.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President spoke at a meeting he had with a delegation from the United States’ Institute of Peace, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari was quoted as saying that his administration is giving the highest priority to the resettlement of displaced persons and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the North-East, ravaged by the activities of the Boko Haram sect.
The President assured the delegation that his administration’s ongoing war against corruption would be fought within the ambit of the law.
He added that mechanisms had been put in place to ensure respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism.
“We attach great importance to human rights. If there are breaches, they will be investigated and dealt with,” he said.
Buhari also welcomed the growing international support, especially from the United States and Europe, for Nigeria’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
The President also expressed happiness with the support of Nigerians for the cardinal programmes of his government, the security of the country, the war against corruption and revival of the economy.
The leader of the delegation, Ms. Nancy Lindborg, applauded the progress being made by the Buhari administration in ensuring greater security in Nigeria.
She promised the continued assistance of the institute for the reconstruction and development work going on in the country.
Meanwhile, the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crusis has charged the Federal Government to look for the immediate and remote causes of Boko Haram insurgency and the pro-Biafran protests in the country and find possible ways of stopping them forthwith.
Speaking at a press briefing in Owerri on Monday, the Vice President of AMORC (Nigeria), Frater Prof. Jonathan C. Nwigwe, said that the economic meltdown, hardship, Boko Haram insurgency and pro-Biafran protesters were tantamount to destroying Nigeria.
Nwigwe said this at the beginning of the 40th Eastern Regional Conclave of the sectarian group in Owerri, capital of Imo State with the theme, “National Integration for Global Peace.”
He stated that there was no nation in the world that had developed in a state of disharmony. He said that unless humanity come together to agree on issues, there would not be peace.
Nwigwe, a lecturer at the Imo State University, Owerri, added that the hosting of the conclave in the state, which is 40 years in the East, was apt as the state celebrated her 40 years of existence.
Nwigwe advised Nigerians not to look up to government for all their needs, saying that government cannot do everything for her entire citizens.
He said, “It is high time Nigerians borrowed a leaf from the American parlance of, “Think of what you can do for America and not what America can do for you.”
Also, the National Board Secretary/Treasurer, AMORC (Nigeria), Frater Johnson Ikube, advocated for positive creativity and self-reliance among Nigerians.
He stated that gone were the days when graduates would think of white-collar jobs, adding that graduates thinking of such jobs now were living in a fool’s paradise.
He said, “Too much interest in white-collar job is what is causing unemployment in Nigeria. But once one is able to produce what others need, one is employed. Our youths should be re-trained and re-orientated on the circumstances of the time.”
Adding his voice, a member of the National Board of AMORC Nigeria, Chief Temple Owhonda-Wopara, said that the essence of the conclave was to educate people and turn them to know more about God and His laws.
He said, “Until humanity come together to agree on issues, there won’t be peace. We are billed to achieve peace and harmony in Nigeria through this conclave. In this regard, therefore, all hands must be on deck. It is not going to be achieved by AMORC members in Nigeria alone.”
He later called on the nation’s leaders to be very prudent in the management of affairs, as he said that any policy neglected or not well carried out would affect the nation and her citizens.
