A retired general of the Nigerian Army has thrown his wait behind the negotiation option with Boko Haram disclosed last week by President Muhammadu Buhari while on a working visit to the United States.
Gen Ishaku Dikko gave the support while speaking with newsmen during the graduation ceremony at Stephen Centre International School in Abeokuta where many children rescued from Boko Haram ravaged communities of the north east are receiving free education.
The retired army officer who is the chairman of Hausa/Fulani/Kanuri Christian Association however cautioned that since the insurgent group is not a standing army with clearly defined chain of command and leader, it may be difficult to establish their true leaders.
“It is difficult to fight Boko Haram because the group is not a standing army. They are chaps that move without direction or command. So if you are dealing with a group or an enemy like that, it becomes extremely difficult to depend on the military solution alone.
“Yes, negotiation is a good option provided that you can get the real people. If you remember, Abubakar Shekau, their leader has died and resurrected many times. Unless you are certain of the people you are dealing with, dialogue will not be an option. But if you can get their leaders, it is an option.
“Now as things are, I don’t think we know who their leaders are.”
The proprietor of the school, Rev Isaac Newton Wusu, in his remarks called on concerned authorities to do more to rid the nation of terrorism.
He advocated teaching of vocational studies at schools saying both pupils and students of Stephen Centre are taught hands on vocations in diverse areas.
“Various vocational trainings are in place here. It’s a good way of teaching our pupils and students how to be self reliant in the future.
“We must rid this nation of insurgents. These kids are victims of Boko Haram but with the help of charity organisations, they have a future. Some of them are already in the universities.”
In his own contribution, representative of the Plateau State government, Professor John Wade pledged the commitment of the state to help Stephen Centre in the area of helping students of the school gain admission into Plateau State University.
“First is the admission and that is a function of meeting minimum entry qualification. We will assist in that respect. The second part is the scholarship possibility. Same can be extended to this students. When I look at this institution, I see a dream of what Nigerians should be like.
When the proprietor rescues this children and bring them here, he didn’t see them as children from Ogun state but Nigerians. In that sense, we should be reciprocating that gesture by not discriminating against children from othe states that they must pay full fees. There shd be substantial consideration for them to access university education just like they have got their pry and secondary education free here.
“Honestly, Stephen Centre is truely Nigerian. The effort is commendable. Most impressive is the incorporation of entrepreneurial education into their teaching. The vocational and technical education here is impressive. I have seen their workshops where they teach hairdressing, tailoring and so on. That’s great so that you start preparing the kids at this critical formative stage. And by the time they finish secondary school, they already have skills. They continue in d university and by the time they graduate, they won’t have to depend on white collar job. That is highly commendable.”
Source:Leadership
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