The Federal Government has been
advised to take a decisive stand to end terrorist activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the country.
Speaking, yesterday, in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State at an Energy Environment and Investment forum organised
by the Rivers State Government, former United State’s Assistant Secretary of
States, Mr. James Rubin, said there was urgent need for the government to take
a firm position on the ugly situation.
He said Nigeria was going through
what he dubbed the “second generation of terrorism in the world,” stressing
that steps should be taken to wipe it out if the country was to enjoy investors
confidence.
He said the government had been
flirting with different approaches on how to tackle the challenge, noting that
it was high time it decided on what to do.
He said: “Either the government or
another one makes a decision to confront the situation. One day it is amnesty,
another day it is military operation. Then you talk about assistance from
outside.
“I say this as a friend. What you are
going through is the second generation of terrorism in the world. Most
countries have gone through it. Please do not wait for the next level. I say
this as a friend.”
Former Prime Minister of Spain, Jose
Luis Zapatero on his part, called for collective effort to make democracy
succeed in African continent, adding that no culture or religion should be seen
as superior to the other.
Condemning acts of terrorism in the
continent, he said the rule of law and respect for rights was the needed
instruments for a healthy democratic setting.
The former Prime Minister of Spain,
Mr. Zapatero also expressed hope that Nigeria had the capacity of being among
top economies in the world by 2020, stressing that only in a democracy would
there be peaceful coexistence in a pluralistic setting.
He said: “Only in a democracy can
there be peaceful living among the various ethnic groups. Democracy and political
equality is the instrument to unite people.”
Former President of Poland, Mr. Lech
Walesa enjoined Nigeria to use its vast human and capital resources to its
advantages, noting that steps should be taken to evolve global solutions to
challenges.
Former Prime Minister of France,
Francois Fillon called for credible elections in African continent, noting that
prolongation of mandates had often threatened the political space in the
continent.
Former President of Ghana, Mr. John
Koffuor, who gave the keynote address on Sustainable Energy the Key to
Africa’s investment, called on Africa countries to invest in technology that would end gas
flaring in the continent.
He charged African leaders to promote
rule of law, respect for constitutional rights and also fight against
corruption, while urging governments in the region to pursue solar energy
development.
“Africa should follow China and
Americans in the area of energy development,” he said.
The host, Governor Rotimi Amaechi
earlier in his welcome address, spoke extensively on the effort of his
administration in the development of the power sector, describing energy as the
bond between development in the different spheres of society.
Amaechi said; “Energy is the bond
that connects economic, social, and environmental development.
“It is a launching pad for economic
growth and plays a pivotal role in any attempt to achieve sustainable
development. No country can successfully reduce poverty without adequately
addressing its energy needs.”
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