Rawlings cautions Nigeria about Boko Haram

Former President JJ Rawlings has cautioned Nigeria that the military alone cannot stop the insurgency being perpetrated by Boko Haram.

He said as the most populous African nation, Nigeria must not allow the International community to interfere in its affairs due to the prevailing insecurity.

He asserted that the war on terror would be won if all Nigerians would work in unity.

The former President cautioned Nigeria at the celebration of the 70th birthday of the former Foreign Affairs Minister and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tom Ikimi, in Igueben, Edo State recently.

Two former Nigerian Heads of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar,  led other Nigerian and African leaders to the celebration.

In an interview with the Vanguard newspaper of Nigeria, former President Rawlings, who expressed regrets about the security situation in Nigeria, warned that that nation must resist the temptation of seeking the assistance of foreign powers in solving its problems.

According to him, “Nigeria’s political might is about 35 percent of Africa’s, and that is why Nigeria must show the way in leading Africa,” adding that based on the way the world is going, Nigeria must not suffer vulnerability or others would take advantage of the problem.

“In my country in 1979, there was no food in the market, things were very terrible. But today there is food in the market but people cannot afford it. Don’t do something that people outside will take advantage of. The situation on the ground is not what the military can curb alone, it has eaten into the fabric of the society and that is why it is in a way gaining strength,” he stated.

In his view, “the Boko Haram problem should not be left to the Nigerian government alone; the society must begin to examine itself, come together, strategise together, otherwise ladies and gentlemen may not be able to handle this problem today or tomorrow.” 

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who praised Chief Ikimi, urged Nigerian leaders to make sacrifices that would help the growth of the nation, saying that without sacrifices by leaders, there may be no hope for the youth of the nation.

The governor, who was given a standing ovation for his development strides in Edo State, described Chief Ikimi as a leader who had contributed immensely to the nation’s democracy.

“Chief Ikimi made a promise in the house of God today when he said he will try to live the rest of his life as a good Catholic. And one of the things I learnt as a Catholic is that Jesus laid down His life so that the rest of us can live forever in what we believe in.

“At this point in Nigeria’s history, we need leaders who are ready to stand for the country, pay the supreme sacrifice so that our younger ones will inherit a country that is free, that offers every citizen a place for loyalty to our nation. May God use you as one of the pillars in this struggle to reposition our great nation,” he stated.

General Babangida described the celebrant as a “seasoned technocrat, a hard-core politician and an eloquent speaker whose carriage invokes authority in the truest sense. To attain the age of three scores plus 10 in a country where life expectancy stands at a ridiculous 47 years is a huge milestone.

“The man celebrating the milestone is not just as remarkable as the age he symbolises. What makes that age instructively unique is uncommon wisdom, elegance, ageing gracefully, a show of quintessence, a display of finesse, with uncommon outlook,” he stated.

Other dignitaries at the occasion included the former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Senator Ben Obi.