FG Urged To Identify And Stop Sources Of Boko Haram Funding

The Federal Government have been urged to identify the personalities as well as sources of funding behind the Boko Haram, as this is best way to check the situation.



This is even as President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday urged Nigerians to show more love to one another, while assuring them the country will overcome it's current challenges.



Speaking at the Church Service held at the National Christian Centre Abuja, to mark the final lap of the nation's centenary celebration, the President who said he sees a new Nigeria filled with love quoted from the Holy Bible "Let this mind be in you which is in Christ Jesus".



He said those with the opinion that there was nothing worth celebrating, had been prove wrong, following the enthusiasm of Nigerians towards the celebration.



"I believe that we must remember our past because if those in the Nordic region can celebrate 200 years of not fighting wars, Nigeria has enough reasons to celebrate" he said adding that " Nigeria will surely get over her challenge".



The Islamic militant group is known to be well funded and well armed too, a situation that have made it impossible for Nigerian troops to successfully battle the Islamist group.



In his sermon, retired Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Sunday Ola Makinde, urged the federal government to unravel the sources of funding for the groups and their collaborators in Nigeria with the view to ending their activities in the country.



While challenging those residing in communities where Boko Haram members operate, the cleric noted that only an internal mechanism that identifies and check the activities of the Boko Haram collaborators in their neighborhood can assist government end the mayhem being visited on the communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa



"Find out the source of funding of Boko haram, where do they get their weapons, how do they get through the borders, where do they get to buy their food, is there a separate market for Boko Haram"?



Makinde's poser continues "The Yorubas have an adage that says "Without enemies within, enemy without cannot strike. We have internal and external collaborator. God will expose them".



While praying God to "wage war against those who are waging war on Nigeria" he retired prelate admonished Nigerians to ensure that " our words and our actions heal and build Nigeria" because "united we stand, divided we fall".



Speaking on Nigeria's amalgamation in 1914, Makinde noted that although the British did it for economic and administrative reasons, God has kept Nigerians together.



He stated that the British had found it very difficult to have a uniform administrative system as was seen in the Aba Women riots of 1921 over the use of indirect rule, however" the amalgamation was God ordained and God never makes mistake"



He noted that some of the challenges that had hit Nigeia would have enough to scatter her nations.



They include the "western region crises, Wild Wild West, 1964 coup and the massacre of Ibos in the north, annulment of the June 12th 1993 election, the killing of Ken Sarowiwa, the death of Abacha and Abiola, the death of Umaru Yar'Adau which brought about the doctrine of necessity and the persistent attacks by Boko Haram"



"You now see that we have many reasons to celebrate despite the challenges. We have offended ourselves but God has kept us together"



He also commended President Jonathan for considering the forth coming national conference which he said will give Nigerians the opportunity to dialogue,



Makinde who urged Nigerians to accept the out come of the conference, likened the current situation in Nigeria to what obtained in Israel in the time of in the Bible as recorded in Amos 3 verse 3 "can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction" Amos who prophesied between 750 to 780 AD condemned Israel for breaking their covenant with God.



Let us see the madness in Israel in those days. Injustices, wickedness, oppression, false worship, when I see the magnificent churches and Mosques in Nigeria, say oh my God these building alone ought to convert us.



"We need to discuss how we can live together"



"The national conference is the best thing that has ever happened to this country and it has come at the right time. We have to review where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going, this is the best time for us to do that. We have to talk and agree on a common goal, common interest. We do not have them in Nigeria. We have fought war, it is time to jour jour. We have to bring to our mind part if the national anthem. I am hoping for a nation where I will be able to control what I produce



"Rise up to build Nigeria and not to break it. We should learn from what is going on in Sudan, Congo, Somalia etc. if India can be one, I do not know why Nigeria cannot be one"



"As we enter the journey of another 100 years, I called on Nigeria politicians not allow rigging. Please allow God's will to be done. You cannot help God in this matter".





Those who attended the event include : President Goodluck Jonathan, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Mother of the President, Eunice Jonathan, the President's sister, Mrs Akpeifu, Senate President David Mark and wife Hellen Mark, former Military Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, head of Nigeria's Interim government, Chief Earnest Shonekan, PDP BOT Chairman, Tony Aneni, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Justices of the Supreme Court, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief of Staff to the President, Jones Arogbofa, Governor of Abia state, Theordore Orji, Audu Bajoga, Deputy Governor of Kaduna state and Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Barde.



Other Spiritual fathers present include, Primate Nicholas Oko, Musa Aseke,Presiding Bishop of Living Faith, David Oyedepo, Bishop Abioye of the Abuja Living Faith Church and John Kennedy Opara, Executive Secretary of the Christian Pilgrims Commission, CPC , amongst others.