PROTOCOLS
1. I welcome you all to this very important event, the
inauguration of the Victims Support Fund Committee.
2. Our gathering here today is to kick-start the process of
providing succour to our people who have been directly affected one way or the
other by acts of terrorism in the country. This is not the kind of events we
would normally pray for.
3. As a developing nation with lofty dreams, I would rather
be here inaugurating a committee on development initiatives. But this is the
unfortunate situation where we have found ourselves because of the lawless acts
of a few misguided individuals who are shedding the blood of innocent people in
our Nation.
4. It is very necessary for us to refresh our memory before
we proceed. Nigeria has not always been like this. In the past, it is true, we
had communal and sectarian clashes. There is no human society that has been
insulated from conflicts. But as a people created by God, we have managed to
live within the realities of our challenges and have worked hard to strengthen
the bond of our togetherness.
5. Even when we quarrel, we very quickly made up and largely
lived peacefully together. At no time did we employ terrorism to settle our
differences. But our innocence was defiled on December 25, 2009, when a
23-year-old Nigerian attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his underwear on
Northwest Airlines Flight 253, on his way from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan,
United States.
6. Although his plan failed and the lives of 289 passengers
were saved, it was one incident that finally confirmed that a few Nigerians had
finally embraced terrorism as a way of life. Now we could no longer deny that
terror has arrived our country with its ugly claws deployed!
7. The year 2009 appears to be a tragic turning point. Boko
Haram, an assemblage of heartless individuals, took it upon itself to bring evil
upon our country. They have in their mission, turned women to widows and
reduced children to orphans.
8. They have killed and maimed and struck fear into
law-abiding citizens. They have destroyed villages, attacked property and
terminated people's livelihoods without a care in the world. They have engaged
our security agencies in a meaningless warfare that has wasted unimaginable
human and material resources.
9. The reality today is that, we are confronted with
individuals whose minds have been so twisted and tutored to believe they are
doing God a service.
10. Let me reiterate clearly that evil will never prevail
over good. The blood that is being wasted everyday by those who take advantage
of the vulnerability of our people to spread extremist doctrines and recruit
them for murderous errands are enemies of humanity. We will never waste any
effort in bringing the individuals responsible for crimes against humanity to
justice.
11. For those who take pleasure in seeing innocent human
beings in pains, to see limbs being shattered and blood flowing in all direction
after terror attacks, we say, you shall have no hiding place. Nigerians will
expose you. The people of conscience around the world have rejected you.
12. We appreciate the support we are getting from foreign
countries and the co-operation we are getting from our neighbours. This has
given us more fillip and we are confident that the days of Boko Haram are
numbered. It is now just a matter of time.
13. Our war against terrorism is gathering momentum. When
you read about bombing incidents in the mass media, they may come across to
those not directly affected as mere statistics. As the old proverb says, when
you carry another man’s coffin, it looks like an ordinary log of wood.
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| PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN |
14. But to us, fathers and mothers, and the families of the
victims, they are not just numbers. They are human beings – sons and daughters,
uncles, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters and indeed, fathers and mothers!
They are Nigerians!! They are individuals with dreams and aspirations, noble
Nigerians who love their country.
15. I call on all Nigerians to stand together in support of
our security agencies against terrorism. They are working night and day under
difficult circumstances. It is unfortunate that when our security personnel
prevent 1000 attacks, it is the one attack that succeeds that makes headline
news and tends to portray our security agencies as not doing enough. It is part
of the realities we have to deal with. We owe Nigerians nothing but victory
over terror. The life of every Nigerian is precious and we will continue to
work round the clock to put an end to this insurgency.
16. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, for those who have
been victims, they need comfort. They need succour. We cannot replace the life
of a child that has been snuffed out. We cannot replace the lives of men and
women who have been killed. We cannot return broken limbs to their original
state. We cannot take away the trauma that people have been put through.
17. Their memories are scarred, some for the rest of their
lives, over what they knew nothing about. The best we can do in this
circumstance is to offer them a shoulder to lean on and to stretch out our
hands of fellowship to them and tell them we feel their pains and share in
their sorrow.
18. The Victim Support Fund Committee is part of our
on-going efforts to provide a comprehensive solution to the menace. This
Government is determined to resolve this crisis.
19. The menace of terrorism has emerged as one of the most
complex and challenging problems confronting governments in different parts of
the world. Terrorists aim to cause social dislocation, spread fear and panic
among the populace and disrupt government activities. But they never win. They
have not won in the Middle East, in the USA, in China, in Columbia, in Italy,
in the United Kingdom, in Kenya, etc. And they will not win in Nigeria. And,
with the support of all Nigerians, we would ensure they do not win in Nigeria.
Good must prevail over evil.
20. That is why we have put together eminent Nigerians led
by the respected statesman and hero, General Yakubu Danjuma, who will be
assisted by Fola Adeola, a tested technocrat. They will be supported by
public-spirited international agencies and other distinguished Nigerians whose
names have been earlier announced. We will ensure that those who have suffered
unjustly in the hands of terrorists can in our little way be consoled.
21. Let me say a few words about these distinguished
Nigerians that have accepted to serve our nation in this committee. From their
profile, they are men and women of outstanding pedigree. That they agree to
serve, is a great sacrifice. These distinguished patriots are volunteering
their time and energy to give a helping hand to the needy. Valuable time that
they should have spent in growing their businesses, loving their families and
taking time in leisure. They have accepted to dedicate time and energy to our
great country Nigeria.
22. We are most grateful.
23. The determination of government to help bind the wounds
and apply soothing balm to the pain on innocent victims remains un-wavered. We
want to give them the milk of human kindness, to let them know that this world
is not just about evil people.
24. Mr Chairman, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the
human heart is eternally caring and generous. The world we live in is hungry to
do good. I want to charge the committee to go out there and knock on the doors
of all hearts and institutions in a determined and focussed way. I am confident
you will raise the required resources to help rebuild some of our broken existence.
25. There are good people who do not share the dangerous
doctrine they are propagating. Those who have made it their priority to kill
and maim think they can break our spirit. We will rise from this triumphantly
and we shall shame evil.
26. We have set up this committee to provide a framework
through which all persons and institutions who wish to help mitigate the pains
our country men and women are going through for no fault of theirs.
27. The Victims Support Fund Committee will help to mobilise
collective efforts and resources in support for the victims. I appeal to all
well-meaning Nigerians and non-Nigerians, individuals and co-operate bodies, to
give generously to this Fund. The victims need our sympathy and empathy. We
have to show that we care and can never give way or give in to agents of evil.
28. We will continue to do whatever we can to support our
people in need. But the task is enormous. It is not a responsibility government
can shoulder alone. Let me again thank all Nigerians, both at home and the
diaspora, and also the international community for their support for our
country at this trying period.
29. Even in moments of deep despair, their supports have
inspired hope in us that very soon, this too shall pass. Nigeria is a community
of neighbours, kinsmen and friends. We have always looked out for each other.
The entire Nigeria nation is one family.
30. I, therefore, call on all Nigerians – students, youths,
boys, girls, men and women – to pause today and spare a thought for the
victims; and support them. This is not a task for the rich alone. Every widow’s
mite will count, and will be appreciated. I urge Nigerians to donate generously
even through your GSM phones.
31. Mr Chairman, the committee’s terms of reference are as follows:
a. To identify sources and ways of raising sustainable
funding to support victims of terror activities;
b. To develop appropriate strategies for the fund raising;
c. To ascertain the persons, communities, facilities and
economic assets affected by terror activities;
d. To assess and determine the appropriate support required
in each case;
e. To manage, disburse and/or administer support to the
victims as appropriate;
f. To address related challenges as may be appropriate;
g. To advise Government on other matter(s) necessary or
incidental to support victims of terror activities;
32. Ladies and gentlemen, this is an opportunity for us to
prove to the world that evil cannot prevail over good. It is an opportunity to
prove that we are our brothers and sisters keeper. We are born to love not to
hate; we are born to build and not to bomb; we are born to heal and not to
kill; we are born to salvage and not to savage.
33. I thank you for your kind attention. May God Almighty
bless our great country Nigeria.
34. I thank you.
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