I will lead Nigerians to defeat Boko Haram – Jonathan
Speaking at the official launching of the Victims Support Fund at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, he said that it beats his imagination that Nigerians could make themselves available to be used as suicide bombers.
He, however, reiterated that the fund being set up was not an admission that terrorism has come to stay in the country.
“We would have sworn that it is impossible! Ten years ago, no Nigerian would have imagined it. We thought it was something that could only happen in other countries.”
“But here we are today witnessing this sordid phenomenon. Even women, who are not known for violence, are now involved. Mr. Chairman, fellow citizens, we will defeat terror and I will lead Nigerians to achieve this.”
“The fact that we are setting up a victims support fund does not mean we have accepted that terrorism is here to stay. No! Never! Rather, this is just one of the short-term measures in our overall strategy against the enemies of peace and progress,” he stated
According to him, it was also unbelievable to think that “some twisted minds” could kidnap innocent school girls and keep them in captivity for months.
Jonathan said the effort to rescue the abducted Chibok school girls has created a situation whereby government is caught between demonstrating military might and endangering their lives or undermining the sovereignty of Nigeria by succumbing to the blackmail of the terrorists on their own terms.
But the president assured that all options are being explored to bring the girls back home safely.
Continuing, “We will come out of this tougher and better nation. In these trying times, we have seen Muslims and Christians, Northerners and Southerners, men and women, and Nigerians from all walks of life rise up in unison to condemn the terrorists.”
“By bombing mosques and churches, they have shown to us that they are enemies to all. By killing Muslims and Christians, they have demonstrated to every Nigerian that their evil agenda does not discriminate. Unintentionally, they are motivating millions of Nigerians to see them as common enemy whose only purpose is to steal, to kill and to destroy.
“As Nigerians, we must find strength in these trying times. We must redefine our sense of purpose at moments like these. We must tap into our sense of unity, peace and progress in the face of these relentless assaults by these enemies of peace and dispensers of horror.
“The reason for setting up the Victim Support Fund Committee is for everyone to reach out to the victims and that it was to galvanize the support of Nigerians to provide succour to victims of terror all over the country.
“I want to challenge us to think deeply about how privileged we are to be able to give. It is a divine privilege that we cannot explain. The victims did not wish this calamity upon themselves. They did not pray for it. It could have been anyone.”
“But for the mercy of God, we could have been the ones needing support as a result of this insurgency. But in His infinite mercy and grace, the Almighty God has decided that we should be the ones giving support, not receiving it.”
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the Victim Support Fund Committee and former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma said that the fund has been established as a full fledged company.
He also disclosed that the Naira and foreign currency accounts have been opened to receive donations from around the world.
Danjuma praised President Jonathan for his wisdom in setting up the fund and his policy of non-interference in its operation.
The Northern leader assured that the committee would jealously guard its independence.
“All too often, the victims of terror are soon forgotten. The majority are the soft targets the terrorists prefer but unable to fend for themselves.
“The funds being collected are not for combating terror or fighting terrorists organizations but for supporting victims of terrorists attacks.” He added
Over N60 billion was realized at the occasion with some of the highest donors being the federal government, N20 billion, key players in the oil sector, N17 billion; the banking sector operatives, N15 billion;
Private donors include Mr. Tony Elumelu, N2.5 billion; T.Y. Danjuma, N1.6billion; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Jim Ovia, Wale Tinubu, Mike Adenuga, N1billion each.
Arthur Eze and Mohammed Indimi, N800million each; Mrs. Folorunsho Alakijia, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Abdul Samad Rabiu, N500million each among others.
All states of the Federation and the FCT contributed N3.7billion.
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