Wife of late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to grant Amnesty to members of dreaded sect, Boko Haram, just as her husband granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants.
Hajia Yar’dua stated this when she received a Post Humous Award on behalf of her husband by the Niger Delta Young Professionals.
The event was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos State.
She said her deep seated respect for the late president lies in his love and belief in one Nigeria, united in purpose and urged the country’s current leaders to do same, irrespective of ethnic political or religious inclinations.
Turai noted that the issue of the Niger Delta region was of great concern to her late husband hence his commitment to restoring peace in the area, which culminated in the granting of amnesty to the militants.
She said the same gesture should be extended to the Boko Haram sect as insecurity in one part of Nigeria would result to insecurity in all parts of the country.
According to her: “Let me use this medium to appeal to my brother, President Goodluck Jonathan, to look at the issue of Boko Haram in the North, just like my husband did for Niger Delta militants by granting them amnesty, which led to peace in the area.
“Please, the representative of my brother, the Honourable Minister of Special Duties, kindly take this message to my brother in Abuja to look at this issue critically and find lasting solution to this problem.”
While commending President Jonathan, whom she described as a good man, Turai urged him to seek counsel only from those with genuine love for the country so that permanent solutions would be found to the lingering security challenges facing the country.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has called on Nigerian youths to strive to keep the country united irrespective of tribal or religious sentiments as the future of the country rests solely on them.
Akpabio stated this at the first Niger Delta Young Professionals Award Night.
Akpabio, who was one of the five recipients of the awards, said he was elated by the ingenuity of the young professionals, as their passion for the total transformation of the Niger Delta and by extension the entire country is an attestation of a rebirth of thoughts of the youths towards positive development.
While commending the group for recognising values, Governor Akpabio said the award is significant as it will engrave in the hearts of Nigerians a willingness and desire to offer selfless service to humanity.
He dedicated the awards to all Nigerian children, especially those resident in Akwa Ibom State, and said his administration will continue to invest in the youths to prepare them for a greater nigeria.
While describing himself as a detribalized Nigerian, Governor Akpabio appealed to other Nigerian leaders to see the country as one indivisible entity and maintain the integrity and unity of the country with pride.
Jonathan, who was the Special Guest of Honour, called on the youths to form collaborations and build strong bridges across the country irrespective of ethnic or religious bias.
President Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Tarakisan, congratulated the recipients for their hardwork and selfless service to humanity and for contributing their quota towards the transformation of nigeria.
While commending late President Yar’adua for his effort in restoring peace to the Niger Delta region through the amnesty programme, Jonathan challenged leaders, especially those affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, to take the issue of security seriously.
He noted that the challenges facing the country were not insurmountable and sued for patience and understanding from Nigerians as the country continues to benefit from the transformation agenda of his administration.
The Chairman of the Niger Delta Young Professionals, Moses Siasia, said the award is in recognition and celebration of outstanding performances by the awardees in their different fields of endeavour and expressed optimism that it will spur others to make a difference.
other awardees were late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, who was given a post humous award; the Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Akinola Arumeni-Ikhide; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; and Daniella Nengi Dan Jumbo Clinton, a young author.
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