President Jonathan
recently inaugurated the Victims Support Fund Committee in a bid to keep
the promises he earlier made to Nigerians.
The event was held at
the State House, Abuja.
Read the President’s
remarks:
Remarks by His
Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR At
the Inauguration of the Victims Support Fund Committee State House -
Abuja Wednessday 16th July, 2014
PROTOCOLS
1. I welcome you all
to this very important event, the inauguration of the Victims Support Fund
Committee.
3. As a developing
nation with lofty dreams, I would rather be here inaugurating a committee on
development initiatives. But this is the unfortunate situation where we have
found ourselves because of the lawless acts of a few misguided individuals who
are shedding the blood of innocent people in our Nation.
4. It is very
necessary for us to refresh our memory before we proceed. Nigeria has not
always been like this. In the past, it is true, we had communal and sectarian
clashes. There is no human society that has been insulated from conflicts. But
as a people created by God, we have managed to live within the realities of our
challenges and have worked hard to strengthen the bond of our togetherness.
5. Even when we
quarrel, we very quickly made up and largely lived peacefully together. At no
time did we employ terrorism to settle our differences. But our innocence was
defiled on December 25, 2009, when a 23-year-old Nigerian attempted to detonate
explosives hidden in his underwear on Northwest Airlines Flight 253, on his way
from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, United States.
6. Although his plan
failed and the lives of 289 passengers were saved, it was one incident that
finally confirmed that a few Nigerians had finally embraced terrorism as a way
of life. Now we could no longer deny that terror has arrived our country with
its ugly claws deployed!
7. The year 2009
appears to be a tragic turning point. Boko Haram, an assemblage of heartless
individuals, took it upon itself to bring evil upon our country. They have in
their mission, turned women to widows and reduced children to orphans.
8. They have killed and maimed and struck fear into law-abiding citizens. They
have destroyed villages, attacked property and terminated people's livelihoods
without a care in the world. They have engaged our security agencies in a
meaningless warfare that has wasted unimaginable human and material resources.
9. The reality today
is that, we are confronted with individuals whose minds have been so twisted
and tutored to believe they are doing God a service.
10. Let me reiterate
clearly that evil will never prevail over good. The blood that is being wasted
everyday by those who take advantage of the vulnerability of our people to
spread extremist doctrines and recruit them for murderous errands are enemies
of humanity. We will never waste any effort in bringing the individuals
responsible for crimes against humanity to justice.
11. For those who
take pleasure in seeing innocent human beings in pains, to see limbs being
shattered and blood flowing in all direction after terror attacks, we say, you
shall have no hiding place. Nigerians will expose you. The people of conscience
around the world have rejected you.
12. We appreciate
the support we are getting from foreign countries and the co-operation we are
getting from our neighbours. This has given us more fillip and we are confident
that the days of Boko Haram are numbered. It is now just a matter of time.
13. Our war against
terrorism is gathering momentum. When you read about bombing incidents in the
mass media, they may come across to those not directly affected as mere
statistics. As the old proverb says, when you carry another man’s coffin, it
looks like an ordinary log of wood.
14. But to us, fathers and mothers, and the families of the victims, they are
not just numbers. They are human beings – sons and daughters, uncles, nieces,
nephews, brothers, sisters and indeed, fathers and mothers! They are
Nigerians!! They are individuals with dreams and aspirations, noble Nigerians
who love their country.
15. I call on all
Nigerians to stand together in support of our security agencies against
terrorism. They are working night and day under difficult circumstances. It is
unfortunate that when our security personnel prevent 1000 attacks, it is the
one attack that succeeds that makes headline news and tends to portray our
security agencies as not doing enough. It is part of the realities we have to
deal with. We owe Nigerians nothing but victory over terror. The life of every
Nigerian is precious and we will continue to work round the clock to put an end
to this insurgency.
16. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, for those who have been victims, they
need comfort. They need succour. We cannot replace the life of a child that has
been snuffed out. We cannot replace the lives of men and women who have been
killed. We cannot return broken limbs to their original state. We cannot take
away the trauma that people have been put through.
17. Their memories
are scarred, some for the rest of their lives, over what they knew nothing
about. The best we can do in this circumstance is to offer them a shoulder to
lean on and to stretch out our hands of fellowship to them and tell them we
feel their pains and share in their sorrow.
18. The Victim
Support Fund Committee is part of our on-going efforts to provide a
comprehensive solution to the menace. This Government is determined to resolve
this crisis.
19. The menace of terrorism has emerged as one of the most complex and
challenging problems confronting governments in different parts of the world.
Terrorists aim to cause social dislocation, spread fear and panic among the
populace and disrupt government activities. But they never win. They have not
won in the Middle East, in the USA, in China, in Columbia, in Italy, in the
United Kingdom, in Kenya, etc. And they will not win in Nigeria. And, with the
support of all Nigerians, we would ensure they do not win in Nigeria. Good must
prevail over evil.
20. That is why we
have put together eminent Nigerians led by the respected statesman and hero,
General Yakubu Danjuma, who will be assisted by Fola Adeola, a tested
technocrat. They will be supported by public-spirited international agencies
and other distinguished Nigerians whose names have been earlier announced. We
will ensure that those who have suffered unjustly in the hands of terrorists
can in our little way be consoled.
21. Let me say a few
words about these distinguished Nigerians that have accepted to serve our
nation in this committee. From their profile, they are men and women of
outstanding pedigree. That they agree to serve, is a great sacrifice. These
distinguished patriots are volunteering their time and energy to give a helping
hand to the needy. Valuable time that they should have spent in growing their
businesses, loving their families and taking time in leisure. They have
accepted to dedicate time and energy to our great country Nigeria.
22. We are most
grateful.
23. The
determination of government to help bind the wounds and apply soothing balm to
the pain on innocent victims remains un-wavered. We want to give them the milk
of human kindness, to let them know that this world is not just about evil
people.
24. Mr Chairman, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the human heart is eternally caring and generous. The world we live in is hungry to do good. I want to charge the committee to go out there and knock on the doors of all hearts and institutions in a determined and focussed way. I am confident you will raise the required resources to help rebuild some of our broken existence.
25. There are good
people who do not share the dangerous doctrine they are propagating. Those who
have made it their priority to kill and maim think they can break our spirit.
We will rise from this triumphantly and we shall shame evil.
26. We have set up
this committee to provide a framework through which all persons and
institutions who wish to help mitigate the pains our country men and women are
going through for no fault of theirs.
27. The Victims
Support Fund Committee will help to mobilise collective efforts and resources
in support for the victims. I appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians and
non-Nigerians, individuals and cooperate bodies, to give generously to this
Fund. The victims need our sympathy and empathy. We have to show that we care
and can never give way or give in to agents of evil.
28. We will continue
to do whatever we can to support our people in need. But the task is enormous.
It is not a responsibility government can shoulder alone. Let me again thank
all Nigerians, both at home and the diaspora, and also the international
community for their support for our country at this trying period.
29. Even in moments
of deep despair, their supports have inspired hope in us that very soon, this
too shall pass. Nigeria is a community of neighbours, kinsmen and friends. We
have always looked out for each other. The entire Nigeria nation is one family.
30. I, therefore,
call on all Nigerians – students, youths, boys, girls, men and women – to pause
today and spare a thought for the victims; and support them. This is not a task
for the rich alone. Every widow’s mite will count, and will be appreciated. I
urge Nigerians to donate generously even through your GSM phones.
31. Mr Chairman, the
committee’s terms of reference are as follows:
a. To identify
sources and ways of raising sustainable funding to support victims of terror
activities;
b. To develop
appropriate strategies for the fund raising;
c. To ascertain the
persons, communities, facilities and economic assets affected by terror
activities;
d. To assess and
determine the appropriate support required in each case;
e. To manage, disburse
and/or administer support to the victims as appropriate;
f. To address
related challenges as may be appropriate;
g. To advise
Government on other matter(s) necessary or incidental to support victims of
terror activities;
32. Ladies and
gentlemen, this is an opportunity for us to prove to the world that evil cannot
prevail over good. It is an opportunity to prove that we are our brothers and
sisters keeper. We are born to love not to hate; we are born to build and not
to bomb; we are born to heal and not to kill; we are born to salvage and not to
savage.
33. I thank you for your kind attention. May God Almighty bless our great country Nigeria.
34. I thank you.
I so much believe Mr President... Do you?
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