By Our Correspondent
As Nigeria joins other countries of the world to observe the International Day of Peace, a call has gone out to the Nigerian people to support the federal government in the battle to root out the extremist group, Boko Haram, to ensure lasting peace in the country for sustainable development.National Coordinator, CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, a Niger Delta based Non-Governmental Organization, who spoke from Mombasa, Kenya, stated that without peace there would be no significant development in the country as no country can make progress in an environment ravaged by conflicts and terrorism.
Comrade Sheriff Mulade lauded the federal government for a broad collaboration with its neigbouring countries especially Cameroun, Chad and Niger Republics on the war against extremism in the country.
The peace advocate praised the military personnel for their gallantry and urged them not to rest on their oars but should maintain the tempo so as to roust the dreaded sect and bring extremism in the country to its knees.
Besides, he advised Nigerians to be patient and support the government, explaining that war on terrorism was complex and not a conventional type with defined enemies, territory and target.
He expressed confidence on the capability of the Nigerian military to bring the wave of insurgency to a halt, as according to him, the military had in the past suppressed uprisings such as the Maitasaine, among others.
‘’As we celebrate International Day of Peace, we urge the Nigerian people to embrace peace and denounce any act capable of destroying the fabric of this country. We commend the government for collaboration with our neighbors in the war against terrors and from the look of things, our troops are winning. We urge them to sustain the tempo and the activities of the terrors will be wiped out. Our Nigerian military had in the past crushed several uprisings and they have participated in several peace keepings around the world. They have always shown resilient and professional capabilities’’, he said.
While commending the governments of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for the collaboration with the Nigerian government, Comrade Mulade maintained that insurgency was not only a threat to Nigeria security, but it could hamper regional integration, development and democracy.
He however advised the media to always do a thorough job before going to the press during this period on the onslaught against militancy as inaccurate reportage was capable of jeopardizing the effort of the government and send wrong signals to the international community.
