The former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd.) on Friday said Nigeria was now a total disgrace and laughing stock to the rest of the world over incessant killings and kidnapping which has bedevilled the country.
Danjuma stated this while speaking at the 2024 Nwonyo Fishing and Cultural Festival in the Ibi Local government area of Taraba State.
The elder statesman who was the chairman of the occasion lamented that Nigeria was regrettably at a war front and theatre of absurdities that leaves a sour taste in the minds of people globally.
The retired military general called on Nigerians to redeem the nation’s image at the global level.
While warning of the danger ahead, Danjuma said, ” I want to warn you that if you truly want this festival to be an international festival we must put our house in order and ensure peace in Taraba and Nigeria.
“There is no sane foreign person that will come to Nigeria to celebrate with us if we continue to kill each other if we continue to butcher each other and make our roads unsafe for people to move around.
“As we are today in Nigeria, we are a disgrace to the whole world. The whole country is at a war front of people against our people.
“We must put our own house in order because right now we are a laughing stock to the whole world. We must stop killing each other. We must make our roads safe, our homes safe, and stop kidnapping. May Almighty God continue to be with us as we try to put our house in order.
“Let us renew our commitment to promoting peace, and harmony and celebrate the bonds that unite us as one family. May this occasion be a reminder of who we are and the strength that lies in our unity.
“We must put our own house in order and have peace in our state and throughout the country if we want this to be truly an international festival.”
In his speech at the occasion, Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, said his administration is committed to ensuring justice and peace so that development can take its rightful place in the state.
Kefas said as nature’s gift to the nation, Taraba must be showcased to the rest of the world so that the enormous potential of the state could be fully harnessed and ensure that Taraba was safe for all.
On his part, the Governor of Adamawa State, Umaru Fintiri, called for the sustenance of the cultural festival and pledged the commitment of the Adamawa state government to supporting the hosting of the festival for the social-political, economic, and peaceful coexistence of the people of Taraba and Adamawa states.
Credit Gist New Today News in Newspaper Nigeria Headlines