The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rejected claims that poverty was responsible for the Boko Haram menace in Northern Nigeria, specifically condemning the statement credited to the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr. Johnnie Carson.
Carson had suggested that “the threat from Boko Haram grows as Nigeria’s standard of living declines”, and that “life in Nigeria may be tough for many, but life in the North is grim for many” and therefore the Boko Haram activity “is a popular narrative up for insurgents to hijack for their own purposes”.
CAN said it rejected the position of the American Government and “some Boko Haram apologists” in the North are peddling that poverty and injustice is the spark for the sect members’ action.
The association argued that “in the first place, the kind of arms and ammunition in the hands of the sect can only be purchased by those with heavy financial power. A fair comparison of any other region with the North shows that the section of the North referred to by Carson has been the greatest beneficiary of the project called Nigeria.
“The North has been in leadership for the greater part of Nigeria’s golden jubilee and its greatest annoyance seems to be the displacement from this position because this same section of the region believes that they are ‘born to rule’.
“We urge the American government to always cross-check their facts before jumping into conclusions in matters concerning foreign countries they know little or nothing about. Adopting what is written for their officials who are outside their shores without verifying the truth would do America no good.
“We would implore the American government officials, if they believe in fairness to arrive Nigeria and undertake an impartial assessment of the situation in Nigeria. We wonder if churches and Christians alone are the cause of the poverty Mr. Carson talked about. How have churches contributed to the injustice in the North?
“We state emphatically that Boko Haram is a product of extreme religious ideology. This is so because there is no explanation for Osama bin Laden and (AbdulFarouk) Mutallab of Nigeria to become a terrorist since they are both of rich background. The American government must, therefore, call Boko Haram what they are - terrorists”.
The CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, spoke on behalf of the organisation Wednesday, asking President Goodluck Jonathan to take a “firm and decisive stand” against Boko Haram “to end the barbarism being meted out to innocent Nigerians”.
The CAN president, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, called on Jonathan not to pamper “death merchants” in order to maintain the secular nature of Nigeria devoid of any manifest religious sentiments.
Oritsejafor condemned the bomb explosions in Kaduna, Kano, Borno and Yobe during the Easter celebrations and called on those behind the dastardly act to see reason and stop the attacks in the interest of the unity of the country.
According to Oritsejafor, what should be paramount in the minds of every Nigerian is the unity of the country.
He recalled that “when the London riots took place in Britain, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, cut short his holiday and returned to his country. His speech on arrival left no one in doubt that he is in charge.
“He gave a stern warning which was followed immediately and in just a few hours the offenders were apprehended and the streets were sparkling clean.
“President Goodluck Jonathan must stamp his feet on the ground against this cancer of Boko Haram. Coming on the heels of the violent attack on Kaduna during the Easter celebration, Potiskum in Yobe State and Dikwa in Borno State, the signs are ominous for a secular state like Nigeria.”
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/boko-haram-not-poor-says-can/113556/
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