NEWS: Ethnic tension won’t split Nigeria, says Sultan

Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Jama’atul Nasir Islam, Sa’ad Abubakar lll

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Has said that  “Nigeria will not divide.” after he expressed optimism that despite the violent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country as well as agitation for self-determination by some ethnic groups,

He, however, charged the National Youth Service Corps to step up its unifying role against the backdrop of the ethnic tensions in the country.

A statement issued on Tuesday evening in Abuja by the spokesperson for the NYSC, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, said the Sultan said this during a courtesy call on him by the Director-General of NYSC, Brig. Gen. Sule Kazaure, in his palace.

Abubakar said, “We believe in Nigeria; we believe we can build it together irrespective of our diverse ethnic backgrounds. The two major religions teach us to be our brothers’ keeper and to love one another. Here in Sokoto, we will continue to do what is right; we will continue to be hospitable to everyone irrespective of their believes and what happens elsewhere. Other states should replicate what we do here and the ethnic tensions won’t split our country.”

Earlier, Kazaure had thanked the Sultan for his support for the NYSC.

Kazaure said he was in the palace to seek royal blessings, and to canvass for the sustenance of the cordial relationship between the NYSC and the Sultanate Council.

Meanwhile, following the alleged killings of scores at Uzouwani, Enugu State by Fulani herdsmen, there are strong indications that the Igbo may revive the dreaded Bakassi Boys as a standby militia to contain such attacks in future.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, told one of our correspondents that, that was one of the decisions reached at the Concerned Imeobi meeting  of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo on May 1, 2016 at Enugu.

 The source said after a review of the whole situation, it was observed that the security situation in Igboland was generally porous.

The communiqué of the meeting made available to our correspondent in Awka partly read, “…Our people should learn and imbibe the culture of being ready to defend themselves legitimately at all times, and at all levels; at least to offer reasonable defence, in the event of any impromptu attack, as we, the Igbo, are vulnerable and  are grossly endangered.

 “That the National Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo must set up, as a matter of urgency, a ‘security and  strategic endurance committee,’ and a ‘central coordinating security sub-committee on town unions, vigilance groups and neighbourhood watchers.’”