The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, today attributed the Boko Haram insurgency and the resultant humanitarian crisis in the North-East to failure of leadership.
A statement issued by his special adviser on media and public affairs, Turaki Hassan, said the Dogara spoke after viewing a documentary on the impact of insurgency in the North-East, which was produced by the Victim Support Fund (VSF). The documentary was filmed at the behest of the Speaker and was viewed by the North-East caucus of the House, along with a delegation of elders from Bauchi State, under the auspices of the Bauchi State Forum led by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed.
Commending the efforts of the Victim Support Fund, the Speaker stated that the harsh realities depicted by the documentary brings the issue of leadership to mind, and that “except we accept that we have failed, there is no way we can change the situation.” He further went on to state that members of the Nigerian parliament had initiated the process of collaborating with legislators from other countries, towards solving the crisis in the North-East.
He explained that terrorism is a global problem which calls for global action, and that materials such as the documentary which had just been viewed would go a long way in aiding engagement efforts with the international community, as a true representation of the situation in the region could be presented.
Similarly, the speaker also solicited support of States and the federal government to restructure the region and rehabilitate its people. Dogara who said efforts are ongoing to present the region’s appeal at the Chatham House in United Kingdom during the first quarter of next year, also noted that many countries have benefited from international support.
He also explained that at this time of falling revenue, the “the states and federal government alone cannot develop that zone so we need massive international support. It was done for Kosovo, it was done for Iraq, Bosnia, it has been done for a number of countries. There is no reason why it shouldn’t be done in the North East, “ he stated.
Earlier, Prof Sunday Ochoche, executive director, Victims Support Fund, explained to the speaker, lawmakers and Bauchi Elders who were present that the documentary is an advocacy material that shows the level of physical destruction and the tragic human story around the insurgency. “Whatever has been done thus far, there is still so much to be done..as tragic as situation is, there is hope.,” he stated. Dogara warned leaders of all the committees in the House to shun corruption, adding that they should not compromise the image and mission of the 8th National Assembly.