CONFERENCE THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND #BRINGBACKOURGILRS The need to take urgent steps to rescue the over 200 girls kidnaped in Chibok featured prominently on Monday at the National Conference. Moving a motion to that effect, a South-South delegates, Hon. Orok Out Duke, calls on the nation’s security managers to urgently take steps to rescue the abducted girls. His motion run thus: Whereas we had formal report on the situation of the Chibok girls. Whereas we took this decision based on the information we had at that time. Whereas there is need for us to acknowledge the new security challenges in the country. Whereas, we need to encourage all the security agencies working to remedy the present precarious security in the country. Whereas there is need to support the ongoing effort of the government towards remedying the situation. That we resolve on the following: 1. That we acknowledge the precarious security situations and the need for urgent remedy. 2. We throw our weight behind the #BringbackthegirlsAlive campaign and the effort of the Federal Government. Alhaji Bashiru Dahatu from Jigawa State seconded the motion. Hon. (Chief) Obi Anoliofo proposes an amendment that the conference should add appreciation to the international community for their effort in supporting Nigeria in resolving the security challenges. At this point, Chief Femi Falana interjects and rejects the amendment saying that it is the responsibility of the Nigerian armed forces to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians. He argues that the national conference should call on the president to set up an investigation into the usage of security funds. Iyiong Josephine Aneniih argues that Nigeria must acknowledge the global efforts in the plight of the Chibok girls and the Nigerian women that has been clamouring for the return of the Chibok girls. She posits that the Nigerian woman has made it possible for the international community to join the search and the #BringBacktheGirls campaign. Rt. Hon. (Chief) Anayo Nnebe representing the former speakers’ forum argues that there is need to acknowledge the efforts of the international community for their effort. He argues that we will be “grandstanding if we say that the constitution say that foreign nation should not take part in the security of the nation.” He expresses opposition to the probe of the Nigerian security fund proposed by Chief Femi Falana. He said that Nigerians should concern itself with the safety of our people and not about the amount being spent on security. He points out that the country helping out in the search should be applauded so that they can do more. Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) points out that what’s happening presently in the country is not an internal strife but trans-border terrorism. He argues that there is nothing wrong in Nigeria asking for help from the international community. He affirms that we should stop the habit of condemning people that are doing great things for this country. He also points out that delegates should not fail to acknowledge that something is not being done. His words, “There is an attitude we must change, the attitude of discouraging people who are working for this country at all levels. There are trained soldiers fighting these insurgents and the only thing we can do is to behave as if they are not doing anything. It is true that they can do better but they are not getting the equipment to do better. Let us encourage them. Let us acknowledge them that a lot of them have paid the supreme sacrifice in fighting these people (the insurgents). We should not come here as if nothing is being done. I believe that we should acknowledge those that have come to help us and support what the government has done to allow them to come in. There is no way to combat international terrorism without the help of the global community.” In his own argument, Rt. Hon. Ignatius Kevin Edet declares that the conference has no power to direct the executive to probe the security funds. He however supports the motion to commend the Nigerian security for their effort and acknowledge the efforts of the international community. Mallam Nasiru Kura pleads that there is no need for delegates to indulge in endless debates about the issue he therefore calls on the chairman to put the question to vote.
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 16:15:59 +0000
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