The Northern Elders Council led by a former Presidential Adviser to a former president, Shehu Shagari, Tanko Yakassai on Thursday lauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration’s efforts at tackling the security challenges occasioned by the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sect in some parts of the North.
The NEC expressed optimism that the efforts of the administration in managing the security challenges would be sustained if the president and his vice, Namadi Sambo, continued in office beyond 2015.
They also warned politicians and northern leaders against any inflammatory statements that was capable of destabilising the corporate existence of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, a former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta, on Thursday emerged the Chairman of the Board of Trustees the Council.
Gambo in his acceptance speech, said they would be committed to the peace, progress, unity and the territorial integrity of Nigeria, noting that “we share and endorse this commitment without reservation.”
He said, “Many of us have spent most of our lives in the service to this great country and we can say with boldness and a clear sense of responsibility that we owe it to our children and children’s children to make this country more stable, more united and more prosperous than ever before.
“We recognise the efforts of the Federal Government under the able leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan in managing the complex challenges with firmness and effectiveness.
“We are convinced that such efforts can take this country out of the turbulent waters of insurgency and underdevelopment.
“We also seize this opportunity to register our appreciation for the harmonious working relationship that exists between the President and our leader, Vice-President Namadi Sambo. It is demonstration of leadership by example in our quest to promote peaceful co-existence among the people of different religion, ethnic and regional backgrounds. We appeal to all Nigerians to follow this shinning example.”
Speaking at the inauguration of the 19-man member of the Board of Trustees, the Council’s Chairman, Tank Yakassai, warned politicians and regional leaders to desist from making provocative statements that are capable of destabilising the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria.
He said rather than embark on such retrogressive activities, they should close ranks with the Federal Government in the quest for sustainable peace and development in the land.
Governors Mukhtar Yero (Kaduna), Idris Wada (Kogi) and the Deputy Governor, Sokoto, Mukhtar Shagari also stressed the need for peace and unity in the region.
They charged the Council to ensure that peace and unity reigned in the North as was in the days of the Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Represented by his deputy, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, Yero tasked the elders and other critical stakeholders in the North to assist the government in finding a lasting solution to the Boko Haram insurgency in the region.
He said the North could not grow like other regions when it remained backward in education and other sectors of the economy.
