Bomb blasts not good for Nigeria’s image –NDYP

The Niger Delta Youth Parliament has expressed worry over the continued bomb blasts in the country, saying that the violent disposition of the Boko Haram sect is not good for the image of the country.

The group described the bombing of the Force Headquarters as unfortunate, even as it urged members of the sect to shun violence and embrace peace in order to ensure the country’s unity.

It noted that the international community would begin to see the country as a terrorist state if nothing was done to arrest the situation.

Speaker of the youth parliament, Mr. Imoh Okoko, lamented that many innocent Nigerians, who had nothing to do with politics, lost their lives as a result of the bomb blasts.

Okoko explained that rather than cling to violence, members of the Boko Haram sect should embrace dialogue with the Federal Government with a view to finding a solution to their grievances.

Okoko, in a telephone interview with SATURDAY PUNCH on Friday, said, “We are using this opportunity to call on the members of Boko Haram to stop the continued bomb blasts in some parts of the country.

“This is not good for the image of the country. It is unfortunate that this is happening at this time concerted efforts are being made to rebuild and develop the country.

“No religion in this world supports the shedding of innocent blood and this is why we are calling on members of the Boko Haram group to desist from such an act.”

He explained that there was no reason for anybody to begin to bomb strategic areas in Abuja and some parts of the North.

He reminded those behind the bomb blasts to realise that the current President of the country was a detribalised man, who needed the support of every Nigerian to succeed.

On whether the Federal Government should declare amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect, Okoko explained that such a gesture was unnecessary.

He argued that the struggle in the Niger Delta, which was about the need to develop the oil-producing areas of the country, was different from what members of the Boko Haram sect stood for.

The youth leader, however, warned against the threat by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra to adopt the violent posture of the Boko Haram sect.

Calling on Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the country, Okoko expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon overcome its challenges
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