Loss Of Value For Life: Presidency Goes Soft On Daily Trust Editorial

Nigeria’s presidency has taken a soft stance in its response to the Daily Trust editorial of Sunday December 12, which bemoaned the orgy of violence, leading to constant loss of lives under the current administration in the country.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu noted that the editorial titled “Life has Lost Its Value Under Buhari’s Nigeria,” correctly identified the causes of violence and instability in Nigeria as a cocantenation of many complex issues such as poverty and unemployment.

In the said Daily Trust editorial, the newspaper highlighted the level of horrific occurrences in Nigeria which often lead to instability especially in Northern part of the country currently being over ran by bandits and Boko Haram, adding that it has gotten to a point where human life has lost Its Value Under the current administration.

The editorial cited some cases of burning of 23 travelers to death in Sokoto, gruesome murder of Kastina State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr Rabe Nasir, and among others by bandits, to prove its point about loss of lives in the country.

Shehu said in the statement, “Given the seriousness of the issue raised by the Daily Trust today (yesterday), the Office of the President would like to issue a response.

“The growing instability and violence in the North of Nigeria and elsewhere is unacceptable. No one, not least the Presidency underestimates the seriousness of the situation. Everyday, the President holds the victims and their families in his thoughts and prayers. Above all, he wishes to reassure them and all Nigerians that tackling the scourge of banditry and terrorism remains this government’s first priority.”

He however, said “Nigeria is not unique. Violence and terror have risen steadily across the entire African continent over the last decade.

“The Economist magazine in a recent publication wrote about ‘The Next Afghanistan,’ warning the global community of the horrifying security in our neighborhood, citing specifically the states of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. So we understand the frustrations of the Daily Trust and Nigeria’s northern communities about the ongoing challenges of security and the Buhari administration is no less worried.

“But it is only fair to say that Nigeria’s persistent and continued efforts to suppress that instability have seen results, with the terror group Boko Haram among others reduced to a shell of its former self,” Shehu stated, insisting that it was wrong for the article to suggest that the problem of insecurity in Nigeria has become “intractable”.

Shehu further noted that Nigeria like other countries now faces a new threat which is the worst global health challenge posed by COVID-19 pandemic, attributing the worsening activities of bandits and terrorists across African continent to negative economic impacts of the pandemic.

On efforts of government so far in tackling the problems, the statement further reads, “our military efforts have not let up. It is true that in the face of today’s growing number of threats from Boko Haram, kidnappers and IPOB to your run-of-the-mill bandits, our forces are stretched increasingly thin. But our dedicated soldiers are working around the clock to keep Nigerians safe.

“Second, alongside military force, this government is seeking to address the violence at its economic source. Massive infrastructure projects like the coastal rail and new train from the southern coast through the north-east to our neighbour Niger, aim to expand employment and opportunity across the country, bringing hope to our more remote and poorer regions where bandits and terrorists thrive.

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“Third, even as the West continues to extricate itself from Africa militarily, we are lobbying our Western allies aggressively for partnership, investment and support in other areas, such as proscribing Boko Haram, bandits and IPOB as terrorist groups, which would severely dent their funding; for investment in trade and infrastructure, to help lessen economic instability; and to help with technical assistance, advanced weaponry, intelligence and ordinance.

“This will likely be small comfort to the families and loved ones of those already lost. But make no mistake: this is a battle we are fighting without let up. The Daily Trust’s suggestion that the President exchanges violence for the support he got electorally is beneath a publication that claims any kind of political neutrality or integrity.”

The presidential media aide stated that now is not time for “political journalism” but a time for Nigerians to remain focussed and come together to end the instability.