By Rotimi Ojomoyela Ado Ekiti
Th e production and circulation of an anti-Igbo song in parts of Northern Nigeria is “embarrassing and unfortunate,” a former governor of old Kaduna state, Balarabe Musa, has said. Musa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Kaduna that the content of the song did not refl ect the true feelings of most northerners. He described the promoters of the song, which calls for violence against the Igbo as “criminals, whose objective is to threaten the peace and security in Nigeria.” Th e former governor said the song was a deliberate ploy by the originators to generate disaff ection towards northerners. He urged the federal government not to take the issue lightly in view of the potential threat it constitutes to the country’s peace.
“Th e song is not only embarrassing but unfortunate and capable of threatening the peace of the country. “So, the federal government should act fast before the issue escalates so that we do not have a repeat of sad tales of history. Th e government should ensure that the promoters of the song are brought to book because they are for the implementation of the tripartite agreement for the voluntary reparation of Nigerian refugees living in Cameroon, Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, explained that the agreement “is premised on international and regional convention institutionlising the rights of refugees by ensuring their return in dignifi ed manner.” Th e minister said members of the Commission were nominated in line with Article 23 of the agreement, adding that two members each are to represent the parties and their subtitles.
He said: “Th e war against insurgency has been won through the joint eff orts of our regional armies as well as support of the international community who also share in the attendance loss of unquantifi able human, material and fi nancial resources.” For the Cameroon representative, Mr. Rene Emmanuel Sadi, advocated that the areas liberated from the insurgents should be made viable for those who will eventually return voluntarily.
Also speaking, UNHCR country representative, Antonio Jose Canhandula, reaffi rmed his organisation’s commitment to collaborate with government of Nigeria and Cameroon to ensure the smooth implementation of the tripartite agreement. Canhandula said noted that “a multifaceted approach is require, which looks beyond a solely military and security approach to also encompass a strategy that responds to the humanitarian situation.” (Premium Times) nothing but criminals,” he said.
Musa expressed belief in the capacity of Nigerians to live peacefully with one another wherever they chose to live and irrespective of their tribe, religion and ethnic group. Th e former governor, who said he would never support violence, criticised the October 1 quit notice given to Igbos by some Northern youths. He said an insignifi cant number of youth could not have been speaking for the people of the North, “who are accommodating and peaceloving. “Th e quit notice is uncalled for and does not refl ect the thinking of the North.
“So many people have condemned it. Even some youths have come out to openly denounce it. “Th at tells you that that unfortunate order is not supported by most northerners; it is condemnable.” Th e ex-governor then called on government to be alive to its responsibilities to the people by delivering the dividends of democracy. He further urged the government to ensure the judicious use of the country’s resources to promote equity, peace and development.’
