Political News
John Kerry Visits Sultan Of Sokoto, Reveals How Nigeria Can Defeat Boko Haram
August 24, 2016 – John Kerry Visits Sultan Of Sokoto, Reveals How Nigeria Can Defeat Boko Haram
US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, said yesterday that the use of force alone cannot end insurgency. Rather, he said the Federal Government should seek reasons Boko Haram terrorists are attacking Nigerians.
Condemning insurgency, Kerry said: ‘Boko Haram boasts of no agenda more than to burn schools and places of worships.’ They also kill and maim people, especially teachers, and it is the opposite of religion.’
In spite of these atrocities, Kerry advised the government and the military to gain people’s trust. According to him, extremism cannot be defeated through repression or fear.
He spoke during a courtesy call on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III. The American top diplomat is on a two-day visit to Nigeria.
Mr Kerry commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his war against corruption and government’s efforts in recovering loots.
He said corruption costs the world a whopping $2.6 trillion yearly. The money, he noted, was enough to provide decent livelihood for the people.
“This is money that can be used to improve the living standard and provide decent livelihoods for them. Corruption is not only a crime, but very dangerous and it must be tamed,” he said.
Commending President Buhari for his efforts in fighting corruption, Kerry noted that corrupt officials, anywhere in the world, were crooks.
He said Buhari understood the danger of corruption and that Nigeria was already a regional leader in the fight against corruption.
”Nigeria is also a role model in the ongoing global efforts to fight corruption,” he stated, and acknowledged measures being applied by Buhari to entrench morality, transparency, honesty and good governance in the country.
Mr. Kerry lauded the Federal Government for recovering loots, stressing that there was the need for all government institutions, including military, other security agencies and the judiciary, to support the anti-corruption campaign.
“U.S. is also fully committed to fighting corruption and the entrenchment of good governance globally.
“One of Nigeria’s strengths is diversity of culture and religious tolerance. The former leaders of the defunct Sokoto caliphate and others like the late Sir Ahmadu Bello had stood by the virtues of peace, unity and tolerance,” he said.
The envoy commended the Sultan for his relentless efforts at entrenching peace and unity in Nigeria and beyond.
He lauded the plan by the Sultanate Council to establish an all-women university, saying that girls, women, children and other vulnerable groups “must be educated, given jobs and opportunities to explore their potential’’.
Responding, the Sultan commended Mr. Kerry for the visit and his ”inspiring speech.” He said the gesture would encourage “us to redouble our efforts for a stronger, united and prosperous Nigeria. We don’t discriminate on religious, tribal, ethnic or political affiliations as we accommodate all for peace and harmony,” he said.
Mr. Kerry had a closed-door meeting with the Sultan and some leaders of the two major religions. Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and Inuwa Abdulkadir, Deputy National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) North-West, were present.
[Daily Sun]
Metu Nyetu
August 24, 2016 at 7:07 AM
ACCORDING TO MR JK, “THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD seek reasons Boko Haram terrorists are attacking Nigerians.” I do not think he spoke this from the depth of his heart, or from proper understanding. Firstly, it is an accepted global practice to not negotiate with terrorists. Secondly, assuming we now want to do the unconventional, Boko Haram has no negotiable reason for their onslaughts. Their demands are simply beyond reason. And so I wonder what JK is saying.
Bokemb
August 24, 2016 at 7:59 AM
John Kerry already you are seating with Boko Haram leaders, do we need to tell you that.
Big Aunty Koks
August 24, 2016 at 8:27 AM
Establishment of an all-women University? Who will provide the security on campus to protect the women from mass abduction by boko and such groups?
We are still crying over CHIBOK and no solution in sight, so reason well on this issue please!
MICHAEL
August 24, 2016 at 9:22 AM
SO WHAT IS HE SAYING? THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD SEE TO BOKO HARAM DEMANDS OF ISLAMISING NIGERIA? BECAUSE THAT IS BOKO HARAM MAIN REASON OF THE BOMBING. I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE AM STILL SAYING IT AGAIN THAT AMERICA IS THE SOLE SPONSOR OF BOKO HARAM, HE LEFT HIS COUNTRY TO COMETELL US HOW TO FIGHT BOKO HARAM, HAS THEY FOUGHT THEIR OWN TERRORIST IN AMERICA? THE ISIS THAT IS DESTROYING THE WORLD WHY DIDNT AMERICA AND THE EU SEE TO THEIR REASONS? STUPID MAN
Endure
August 24, 2016 at 9:25 AM
I want to join the sultan of sokoto in commending the US envoy John Kerry for the wisdom shown in his speech. He has indeed touched all I have in mind in showing our country the best way forward in dealing with endemic corruption in the country. Thank God he also reiterated the vital point I made in my comment in about two weeks ago also under a certain article written by an author that,’nigerian strength can only be derive from our diversity’ without which we will not able to successfully build our nation. Privileges and ministerial appointments should not be restricted to certain region or a particular ethnic group in the country. I also want to laud him for his great speech in the area of religious tolerance. Our nation is made up of diverse religions and their different forms of worship and as such,religious worshipers from various denomination and groups must tolerate one another. At no point should any religion use it doctrine as an excuse to kill the other. No religion should impose it doctrine on the other thereby stirring up violent.
Finally,I also want to join Kerry in commending mr president for his relentless effort in the fight against our corrupt officials
Who had repeatedly succeeded in looting our national treasury in the past administrations. And in order for our fight against corruption to achieve it desired objective,i want to urge our president to not make his anti corruption war selective as doing that could cause deep political division in the country. There should be an unfettered thorough investigation of the mainstream political parties in the country namely,the PDP and APC members accordingly. And above all,I see a very bright future for the country.
sola olaniyi
August 24, 2016 at 12:04 PM
so how does this help to defeat boko-haram
Keeping it real
August 24, 2016 at 12:30 PM
Wondering the closed door meeting after all these praises from Mr Kelly.
D Hunter
August 24, 2016 at 2:59 PM
What method have they not used in the quest to know what the BH Boys really really want?
When dialogue could not solve the issue, bullets has to be used.
THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER,
Still strolling…
fifelomo
August 24, 2016 at 11:05 PM
Hope his contributions will help defeat boko haram completely.
Maryf
August 30, 2016 at 11:14 PM
I thought this John of a man think fast but not anymore. You are sitting with B.H already