Anyaoku, Soyinka Ask Nigerian Leaders To Tackle Boko Haram Decisively

Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Prof Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and elder statesman, Emeka Anyaoku, have described the on-going Boko Haram violence crusade as a threat that must not be handled with kid gloves.

At the third Zik’s Lecture series held on Saturday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Professor Soyinka, who was the guest lecturer, lambasted the idea of any human being describing knowledge as forbidden.

“New boundaries are springing up, not even virtual but physical. We have one next door. You know it. Sambisa forest.

“From within that mind enclave they make all efforts to extend such boundaries and swallow up institutions such as this. They proscribe this very gathering. Call it Haram.

“They close down citadels of knowledge brutally. For them, age is no barrier to inflicting sudden death.

“They kill not many children but childhood,” he said.

In Serious Trouble

Mr Anyaoku in a speech pointed out that “Nigeria is in serious trouble just now” and urged Nigerian leaders to tackle the situation decisively.

“Our leaders in the government, in the legislature and the political parties, and I mean all political parties, must acknowledge the seriousness of the situation we face on the issue of insecurity in Nigeria and tackle it.

He called on all leaders to support the government of the day in dealing with the situation.

“We read and hear everyday in the media that the Boko Haram has killed yet more people, irrespective of where they are, the leaders should join hands to see that we can deal with this grave threat to our nation,” the former Commonwealth Secretary-General said.

The Boko Haram sect, for over five years, has kicked against western education and are demanding for an Islamic state.

On Friday evening a suicide bomber suspected to be a member of the sect detonated a bomb near a fuel station in Kano killing seven persons.

Source:

Channels TV