National Conference: “There Is Nothing Like ‘No-Go Area’” – Senator Okunromu

National Conference: “There Is Nothing Like ‘No-Go Area’” – Senator Okunromu

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, on Wednesday, said that Nigeria needs a purposeful leadership that will cement the unity of the country.

Shettima who disclosed this when the Presidential Committee on National Dialogue led by its chairman Senator Femi Okuronmu paid him a courtesy call at the Government House Maiduguri said that the problem of Nigeria and Nigerians was that of leadership.

He said the destiny of Nigeria depended on the Presidential Committee on the National dialogue, as many Nigerians were willing to express their views on how to move the country forward.

Shettima said Nigerian elites were the problems of Nigeria, noting that whenever they lost election they instigate crisis and divide Nigeria along religious, tribal and regional sentiments.
He added that the political elites only cared about the past and next elections.

The governor said good governance, equity, fair play and justice was what Nigerians wanted, as according to him, there was nothing like Yoruba nation, Kanuri or Hausa nations.
He said, “who is afraid of divided Nigeria and who is not afraid of divided Nigeria? Many people don’t understand the complexity of the country and that is why some people talk carelessly; we have to learn how to respect and accept each other”.

Earlier speaking, the leader of the committee, Senator Femi Okuronmu said they purposely chose Maiduguri as one of the venues to send two messages to Nigerians- that peace has returned to Maiduguri and that Maiduguri was no longer dangerous.

He also stated that they were in the state to indicate their commitment, dedication and patriotism, as many people were skeptical of coming to Maiduguri for fear of being attacked by insurgents.
Senator Okuronmu said that there was nothing like “no go areas”, as people were free to discuss their grievances, adding that the dialogue is to be designed by Nigerians themselves.

The chairman of the committee further stated that the number of representation, duration of the conference and the legal frame work is to be determined by Nigerians.