A former head of state, General Abdulsalami  Abubakar, has said that poverty is not enough excuse for  misguided elements in the Boko Haram sect to unleash terror on the citizenry, emphasising that it was high time they gave peace a chance.

The elder statesman said this on Wednesday during his 70th birthday at his residence in Minna, Niger State.

Abubakar, who wore a white Babanriga with  a red cap and a pair of brown leather slippers  said, “I know we have the problem of Boko Haram,  kidnappers, this and that. It is true that the challenges from one country to the other are almost the same. But we should not fold our arms, throw in the towel and allow things to go awry.We should just keep trying and make sure that those misguided elements  give peace a chance.”

He argued that though there was poverty in the land, it is not enough excuse for anyone or group of persons to unleash terror on innocent citizens.

While acknowledging that the country had shown him a lot of  love and respect, he prayed and expressed the hope that Nigeria remains one indivisible entity.

“I want to, through the media, thank all Nigerians and all those people who sent me goodwill messages. I thank them and I am overwhelmed. This country has shown me a lot of love and respect and I pray and hope that this country remains one indivisible country so that we can live together and be each other’s brother’s keeper,”  he said.

Those in attendance were the celebrant’s wife, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar; former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida; former NACCIMA boss,  Alhaji Umaru Ndanusa;  Hajia Jumai Babangida Aliyu, Senator Zaynab Kure among other dignitaries .

Comments (5)

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No excuse for wrong doing.
written by Mezie, June 14, 2012

There is no excuse for the foolish virgins who do not take extra oil in their lamp to wait for the groom, a Bible story. I respect General Abdulsalami Abubakar- he willingly stepped down for 1999 elections, and was Nigeria's emissary to African troubled spots since then. We Nigerians should DO UNTO OTHERS AS WE WISH TO OURSELVES, otherwise we can't truly feel the warm love of Allah.

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Boko Haram and the poverty story
written by Echi, June 14, 2012

Thank you Sir. You should know. And it is the truth. The members of the sect are angry with the Government and People of Nigeria. They have made public their anger and their demands. We hope all interested governments are listening from the gurus of security reports in Nigeria.

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...
written by Nelly Chris, June 14, 2012

The elder Stateman, Adbdulsalami has said the truth other notable leaders have refused to have siad before now. Aside poverty which even a lunatic will know is not enoough yardstick to be causing troubles and killings every where in the North what os burning and bombing of churches, what connections do that have to do with BK objectives? It would be nice the ex-president, Alh. Abdulsalami should come up with more concerted effrots to curb this menace rather than the good statement

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