US, Northern Govs to brain storm on Boko Haram

MOVED by the ravaging nature of activities
of members of Boko Haram who have engaged in
massive killing and wanton destruction of property
on daily basis, the government of the United States
and some Northern Governors hav concluded
arrangements to hold a three- day talk shop on
security in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
An Agency of the US government, not specified, is
to anchor the talk shop which holds in Washington
DC between March 17 and 19, just as governors of
Sokoto, Kano, Adamawa, Alhaji Magatakarda
Wamakko, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Admiral
Murtala Nyako and three others have agreed to
participate in the programme.
The workshop, as planned was coming on the heels
of worsening security situation in some parts of
Africa, with emphasis on Nigeria which in the most
recent time has been grappling with brazen
terrorism, even as the previous week had been
turbulent for Nigeria with over 500 persons
reportedly killed by members of Boko Haram sect in
Borno and Katsina states.
According to the letter of invitation extended to the
participating Northern Governors, the Organisers
stated that the talk-shop “Will Provide important
opportunity for Nigerian governors to inform and
discuss with the US government officials on current
economic, social and security challenges in the
region”.
Sokoto state governor in a telephone chat, said he
agreed to attend the programme in the US, against
th backdrop of the concern of the country on the
security situation in Nigeria.
According to him, the state of insecurity in Nigeria
has reached an alarming level which he stressed
required much efforts from all the tiers of
government in Nigeria, adding, “I was invited to the
symposium just like my other colleagues, and I felt
that going there to say how it is in Nigeria is what
would help us to galvanise international support for
combating the menace of terrorism in our place of
origin.
“The programme, no doubt, affords an opportunity
for those of us from Nigeria to rub minds with
experts on security matters with a view to finding
practicable solutions to the growing influence
insurgency in our region.
Wammako who noted that no amount of efforts
made by leaders in Nigeria to contain terrorism
would be considered too high or too little, however
advised that all hands must be on deck for Nigeria
to surmount the security challenges, adding that
while the government of Sokoto had designed
different measures towards a containing the
menace of terrorism in the State, Nigerian leaders
in general must wake up to the necessity of joining
hands to tackle the problem early enough.
Hailing what he described as the brave
performances by the Nigerian Military for
repressing insurgency in the affected parts of the
north, Wamakko urged the Federal Government to
start paying full attention to the menace of
terrorism, while preventing it from widening.