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TY Danjuma |
Says force won't resolve Boko Haram problem
Festus Akanbi
Former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma,
Saturday blamed the leadership of the country for what he described as the near
collapse of all sectors of the economy and the current security challenges.
Danjuma spoke in Zaria shortly after the traditional title
of Jarmai Zazzau was conferred on him by the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu
Idris, for his philanthropic gestures and role in uplifting education in
Nigeria.
In Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan offered his
felicitations to Danjuma on the conferment of the traditional title on him,
saying the former minister has made huge contributions towards community and
institutional development in different sections of the country.
But the former minister lamented in his post-conferment
speech that the entire national economy was in tatters. He said the fight
against the Boko Haram insurgency could not be won by the use of strong-arm
tactics in a country with a wide disparity between the rich few and the masses
who can barely eke out a decent living.
Danjuma said Nigeria, in general, and the North, in
particular, had never lacked politicians but regretted that what was in short
supply were patriotic leaders who could give the nation a clear sense of
direction.
Danjuma added that the present situation in the country
called for sober reflection rather than resort to inflammatory statements and
political tantrums ahead of the 2015 elections. He said, however, that despite
the many years of mismanaged opportunities and resources, the country could be
brought back to the path of progress and rebuilt to achieve greatness, if there
was peace and genuine reconciliation among the political leaders.
Jonathan, in a statement by his special adviser on media and
publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said, “The president believes that General
Danjuma’s splendid career in the Armed Forces and public service of the
Federation, as well as his colossal philanthropy and generosity to communities
in all geopolitical zones of the country have ensured that he will be
continually honoured and celebrated by an appreciative nation.”
The present recalled the former Chief of Army Staff’s recent
donation of over N2 billion to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for the
construction of a new library, lecture hall, auditorium and administrative
block and prayed God to grant him many more years of service to his fatherland.
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